Gov’t Grants Funding for Special Olympic Team

Cambodia's flagbearer Davin Sorn holds the national flag as she leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012.

The Cambodian government has granted $20,000 to the national Special Olympics team, for travel and competition at this year’s games in Los Angeles later this month.

The committee had been seeking funding from both the government and private entities, but the grant from the government will allow them to go, officials said.

“Our slogan is that we do not leave anyone behind,” said Meas Sarin, an adviser to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. “So we need to support disabled people.”

Of the 27 games in the Special Olympics, Cambodia will compete in the athletics competition and in bocce. It competed in the Special Olympics in Shanghai in 2007 and Greece in 2011.