BATTAMBANG: A large-scale swimming center located in Battambang city was inaugurated on Monday to serve international competitions.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Minister of Interior, Sar Kheng, and featured demonstrations of water sports, such as Water Polo and swimming competitions.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said the new swimming center is another sport venue in line with the development of sports in the country, as well as an upgrade in training facilities for the 2023 South East Asian Games and ASEAN Paralympics Games, which Cambodia will be hosting.

The Minister of Interior has also stated that Cambodia has transformed from a country left in ashes from the Pol Pot regime, to a developing country in all fields, including sports, with many athletes training in different categories.

He has also mentioned that such athletes are competing at the international level and winning gold and silver medals for the motherland of Cambodia, which needs to strengthen its sports sector to make the country a regional and international reference in this area.

According to the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Sun Chanthol, the total cost of the new swimming center in Battambang was $2 million dollars, and was constructed with the participation of national and provincial partners as well as other philanthropists. This includes contributing more than $730,000 dollars to the national budget for electricity and water.