REAKSMEY KONGKEA

By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Hok Chheang Kim, Technical Director of the Cambodia Wrestling Federation (CWF), said there are 16 wrestlers capable of representing Cambodia. Six of these are women and according to the Technical Director, the best if these is 25 year-old Chov Sotheara. They are now under training at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh by Chheang Kim. “Sotheara is the only Cambodian female wrestler to win medals in the SEA Games Competitions. She is a highly qualified wrestler and an honor for the Cambodian people,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during an interview on January 19. “I am happy with Sotheara because she is the best wrestler in Cambodia. I believe that with her skill, talents and hard training, she will win more medals at future SEA Games and other international wrestling competitions.” The Technical Director said that besides wrestling, Sotheara now works as a general sports coach for the 11th and 12th year classes at Doeum Thkov High School in Phnom Penh. “I started

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Sampov Meas (Golden Ship) is a symbol of Pursat province.Construction of a giant model of such a ship is already completedand it now waits in the waters off the province for an offi cial opening ceremony. This is according to Chea Kheng, wife of Suy Sem, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy. Chea Kheng said that the construction of the symbol of Sampov Meas Island began on January 1, 2007, and reached completion on December 31, 2008. She said that the ship was 228 meters long and 50 meters wide andis surrounded by trees, lotus branches and rivers. She continued that there are also many apartments on the island, with glorious vistas concealing temples, bridges, electricity pylons, benches, toilets and gardens. It is hoped that they will attract visitors in their thousands. “The main purpose of the construction is to develop Pursat province which is my husband’s birth place and to attract national and international tourists to see the place,” she said.” Another

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA A total of 30 Cambodian artists have performed dance routines influenced by the rhythms of African drum. The one day event was held January 23 at the Gasolina Restaurant in Phnom Penh, according to Preap Chanmara, Research Coordinator with the Reyum Institute. Chanmara said the African dance and drum performance was organized by the Reyum Institute, with financial support from the Albert Kunstadter Family Foundation and the Rockerfeller Foundation. “This is the first time that the Institute has organized African traditional dancing in Cambodia,” he said. “The purpose of the performance is to facilitate exchanges between international artists and encourage an appreciation for different cultures. Dialogues are encouraged on subjects such as tradition, innovation, and the role of the arts in fostering change,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during interview on January 21. He said the event will promote traditional and contemporary arts and culture in Cambodia. He add

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Colgate Palmolive Company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Cambodian Dental Association (CDA) will provide free dental checkups according to Cheam Heng, General Manager of CP & A Training International Co., LTD, the key Colgate importer in Cambodia. Heng said that the dental checkups were organized and financially supported by Colgate Palmolive, the Cambodia Ministry of Health and the CDA. The General Manager said the checkups will be conducted from the 1st to 28th February 2009 in Phnom Penh and other cities and provinces across the country. He said that according to the company’s plan, over one million Cambodian people will be getting free checkups. “It is the first time that Colgate has provided free checkups for the people in Cambodia,” he said. “The purpose of the checkup is to teach our people on how to take-care of their teeth and to promote overall health.” he told the Cambodia Weekly on January 23. Heng Chan Sophal, C

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Koeut Sekano, Secretary General of the Royal Academy for Judicial Professions (RAJP), said that his organization plans to recruit 50 student judges, 63 court clerks, 36 bailiffs and 15 notary students in 2009. The Secretary General said that there were 81 court clerk students recruited by the RAJP in the previous year. The students who want to apply for training must have been awarded at least a Bachelor’s Degree in law, said Sekano. He added that the judge and court clerk student selection examination will take place in February 2009; the bailiff student selection exam will in take placed in March; and the notary students’ selection exam will be in April. “This is the first time that RAJP has recruited bailiff and notary students for study in Cambodia. The main purpose of the training is to provide the very specific set of skills that will help Khmer students fill in some human resource gaps in

By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Oum Yurann, the President of the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Association (CABA), said that among the top ten Khmer boxers, Vorn Viva is the best qualified fighter, as well as the youngest heavy weight champion in Cambodia. “I am very proud of Viva because he is the youngest heavy weight champion, and he has received many medals for boxing both at national and international level. Recently, he found success at the World Class Boxing Championship,” Yurann said during an interview with the Cambodia Weekly. Yourann said that Viva was the only Cambodian boxer to win his bouts during the 2008 World Class Boxing Championship as a result of his natural ability, a rigorous training schedule and limitless patience. Vorn Viva, 23, is the youngest of his family, along side three brothers and one sister. He comes from Khloy Village, Mean Commune, Prey Chhuor district, in Kampong Cham province. Viva became the Kick-Boxing Champion for Cambodia in 2007 after receiving financial

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology has issued a statement about the continuing cold weather, predicted to last until on January19, 2009, with temperatures ranging from 19 to 21 degrees in Cambodia. Seth Vannareth, Director of the Meteorology Department at the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, said that because of a persistent high pressure zone and wind blowing from Siberia, the cold weather will continue for days to come. “The reason for the unusual cold in recent days is the persistent high pressure zone and wind blowing from Siberia,” she said. “These are not unusual temperatures when compared to the previous year; however, the cold season will last a little longer. Cambodians must take care of their health given this weather forecast,” she added. The Director said that according to Ministry weather predictions, the cold will continue throughout the country. Her Department notes that four zones in the country’s mountainous areas will

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said that the number of journalist students attending classes at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) is too low. He said the reason for this is because there are no scholarships to help students get into the university. “I think that although the number of Khmer journalist students who attend the Media and Communication Department in the University is less than other subjects, it remains a suitable career given the economic environment in Cambodia,” he told The Cambodia Weekly. He added, “However, I would be glad if the Royal University of Phnom Penh would expand the scholarship program for our students or provide alternative training courses for the students every evening or weekend.” Tieng Sopheak Vichea, Co-Director of the Media and Communication Department (DMC), and Director of the Cambodian Communication Institute (CCI) under RUPP, said that the University plans to recruit more journalist students i

By BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Many national and international humanitarian organizations have provided free training to poor students in Cambodia, according to Ton Sa Im, Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS). The Under Secretary of State said that among these humanitarian organizations, Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) is one international organization which has freely offered training and other life skills to the poor, with concentration on disadvantaged children in Cambodia. “I am very proud of PSE. It has been helping the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports in providing basic education to the poor in Cambodia,” he said. “I think PSE’s activities really helped the Cambodian government to improve and promote the educational system in Cambodia,” she told The Cambodia Weekly during an interview on January 15. The Under Secretary of State has appealed to PSE’s Director and Managers and other local and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to continue

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA World Vision, a Christian relief organization, active amongst the children of Cambodia, and serving the poor of the world in general, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender, has agreed to provide internships for poor students in Cambodia. Haidy Ear Dupuy, Advocacy and Communications Manager of World Vision Cambodia (WV), said that her organization has a long tradition of helping Cambodian students realize their full potential by offering internships to pupils and graduates every year throughout the nation. She said that more than 10 students from different universities, institutes and colleges will be offered vocational training in areas such as Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology and Advocacy. “Last year, the organization offered about 10 internships for students, covering periods from six months up to a year,” she said. “We now plan to recruit a further 10 interns for 2009,” she told the Cambodia Weekly. She stated tha

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA The Equestrian Contest is one of Cambodia’s most popular sports according to Bou Chumserey, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS). However Chumserey said that due to over two decades of civil war, the sport has all but disappeared in Cambodia. Nevertheless, due to progress and development, the sport has been re-introduced by a French Equestrian Club in Phnom Penh. “I am delighted that the sport has been reintroduced to our people and I hope that they will take a keen interest in the sport. I hope that we will have potential to compete at international level in future,” he told the Cambodia Weekly. Soraya Ourrais, Director of the Cambodian Country Club (CCC), which is managed by a French group in Phnom Penh, said that about 80 youngsters from Cambodia, France, the US and UK will attend the Norodom Sihanouk Show jumping Competition 2009 in Phnom Penh. Soraya, who has 20-years working experience with horses in European Coun

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Ly Sok, 28, is an experienced business dealer, strategist, and entrepreneur with an impressive track record in marketing operations. He was born on May 6, 1981 in Kampot province, and is the second son in the family, alongside his brothers and sisters. Sok, graduated in the field of Hospitality and Tourism in 2004, and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Marketing in 2006. Sok’s extensive career in high profile marketing and public relations positions began with his work for Mobile Phone Magazine (MPM). In his recent promotion as Chief Executive Officer with MPM, he and his team were able to deliver a record profit, introduce new product lines, and position the company as the leading guide for mobile phone education and purchase. Sok has national and international experience in leading teams and managing businesses. However, he singled for special praise the Entrepreneurship and Creative Business Ideas Model for Successful Start Up Companies, conducted by Cambodi

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA There are more than ten world class marathon runners in Cambodia, according to Yem Oddom, General Director of the Youth and Sports Department in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports (MoEYS). The General Director said that among the top ten athletes, Hem Bunting is the best marathon runner and he is also at the forefront of those sportsmen and women best qualified to attend international half and full marathon competitions. “I am proud of Bunting. He is our youngest runner but he has won many medals whenever he attends an international competition. He is the honorary champion of Cambodia,” Oddom told the Cambodia Weekly during an interview on January 5. He added, “I believe that with his hard working, patient and talented runner has a long future bringing medals back home from international competitions.” 24-year-old Hem Bunting is the youngest Cambodian Marathon Champion. He is the youngest of five brothers and three sisters in his family and was born in

BY BUTH REAKSMEY KONGKEA Bou Sra is the original name of the largest waterfall in Cambodia, situated in the pleasant surroundings of Mondulkiri province. In the near future, this place of beauty will become a special economic zone. The Waterfall is located in Pich Chinda district and stands about 43 kilometers distant from the town of Sen Monorom , according to Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce. The Minister said that his government will develop the Bou Sra Waterfall area following the introduction of other special economic zones in Dangkor district, Phnom Penh, and latterly in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The Royal Government of Cambodia will open joint-checkpoints between the Cambodian and Vietnamese borders located in Mondulkiri province in the near future, according to an ambitious plan revealed by Minister Prasidh, speaking to the Cambodia Weekly during a telephone interview on December 25. The Minister said the two governments are going to establish the joint-che

BY REAKSMEY KONGKEA The introduction of traffic laws requiring mandatory crash helmet use will come into full effect on January 1st 2009, according to Prime Minister Hun Sen. The new laws will be administered by the Phnom Penh Municipal authorities and there will be a system of fines for motorcyclists who disobey. The Prime Minister revealed these measures during a speech delivered to an audience of instructors and graduates at a degree ceremony held December 22nd in Phnom Penh. “I appeal to all Cambodian motorcyclists to wear crash helmets whenever they use our roads. If you haven’t got a crash helmet, I advise you to get one now to avoid the fines and more importantly avoid becoming a traffic accident statistic. From 2009, we will see big reductions in the number of fatal accidents on our roads and you cooperation is vital,” he said. “The state spends more money on clearing up the aftermath of traffic accidents than it does on combating the threat of AIDS and landmines combined. C