Cambodia's 2023 SEA Games Volunter Story: Childhood Dreams And Pride Are Part Of The Akbar Party

SEA Games 2023 voters in Cambodia. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia is currently running successfully despite the shortcomings that the participants have complained about. However, everything can still be overcome thanks to the work of all parties.

One of them is the help of the volunteers. They are happy to help anyone who needs his presence.

In the midst of the hot weather that always surrounds Cambodia, the volatiles, which are young people, are agile and friendly to deliver peserts and journalists, to venues for match venues, to show spectators who come from friendly countries to look for snacks to the internet network.

At the National Stadium at the Phnom Penh Olympics, there was Chea, a 21-year-old young man who couldn't hide his eyeline arch behind the mask he was wearing. The roar that enveloped the indoor stadium where the men's volleyball team between ASEAN countries competed was his encouragement in the heat of the capital's sun at that time.

"I've loved volleyball since I was a child. This is the first time I've had a volleyball match in person, seeing my favorite athletes from various countries," Chea said, as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, May 19.

Turning to the Chroy Changvar Convention Center, there is Noy, a 23-year-old girl who became avolunteer or volunteer at the inaugural SEA Games in Cambodia. Noy, can be seen in contrast to his friends who packed the vovinam venue because his small face was decorated with a frame of round and large glasses.

He is a student who now lives in Phnom Penh for several years to continue his studies in the international relationship department. While studying, Noy is also trying to meet the needs of his life and his family who live far away in Siem Reap province.

Sports itself is nothing foreign to Noy. When he studied in elementary and junior high school, Noy had time to pursue soccer.

Being a football player was also stuck in his head at that time, because all day he only thought about the sport and playing with his friends. However, as he grew older, Noy decided to stop to focus on the academic side. Right before he was 20 years old, the youngest of five children migrated to the capital to study at the university as well as work to help the family's economy.

"I've learned to play football from elementary to junior high school, but I chose to stop so I could learn better at school, because I wanted to go to college. I also have to work for my family who live far away," said Noy, with his glasses suddenly hoarding -- either because of the cold wind coming out of the air conditioner, or because of the water grains that suddenly adorned the outskirts of his eyes.

Because the location of Siem Reap -- the province where Angkor Wat is standing is quite far away, Noy can only return to his hometown once or twice a year -- namely during New Year celebrations and national holidays.

On the other hand, the Cambodian government's policy of eliminating all educational institutions in order to succeed in the 2023 SEA Games, which the country has been waiting for for for at least more than six decades, has made Noy and thousands of other friends interested in becomingvolunters.

Despite the policy, Noy admitted that the SEA Games could serve as a reminder for him that he had been involved in something -- which he thought was so great -- and his love for sport that always burned in his tiny body. Future dream

Chea and Noy are two of the thousands of young people who took part in this year's inaugural Cambodian SEA Games. Behind the joy, live the passion and dreams they want from their participation in the event.

Dreams of their childhood -- whether it's a football player, or watching the game live when the national team looks dashing for the country -- some have not and have been achieved for the two people.

For Chea, the SEA Games is an encouragement to meet many people, to expand her social skills so that she can run even further.

"I like to have lots of friends. This is the perfect place for me to start and see the world through the stories of friends from other countries who come here," Chea said with a smile that seemed unable to escape her face.

As for Noy, he is delighted to be part of the Cambodian SEA Games because this is the first time his country has hosted a major sporting event. For him, this is also an opportunity for him to get acquainted with many people from neighboring countries, and wants to introduce his country to the world.

He also hopes that Cambodia can be better known as a friendly country and will continue to develop further. Noy, who studied international relations, considered Cambodia to have many interesting things to know, despite the polemics that had once haunted him.

"I, after this SEA Games, want to continue to learn and complete my studies so that that hope can be realized in the future, and of course, so that I can bring my family to see me graduated," said Noy while taking off his glasses, and cleaning his lens which had hoarded.

In fact, the SEA Games is a place to celebrate many things with many people. For the Cambodian youth and women involved in it, this is an opportunity they want to take advantage of, and a story they want to keep remembering together until the other SEA Games roll on, until this event returns to their homes.