Cambodia now faces a ban from competing in sepak takraw at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan after withdrawing from nine sports at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, according to Thana Chaiprasit, vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.
The World Sepak Takraw Federation and Asian Sepak Takraw Federation imposed the penalty, and governing bodies for the other eight withdrawn sports are currently reviewing potential sanctions, Thai officials confirmed.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun stated in an official letter dated November 26 that the withdrawal decision stemmed from major security concerns affecting the safety and protection of Cambodian athletes and officials.
The late withdrawals significantly disrupted tournament operations, with Chaiphak Siriwat, executive director of SEA Games 33, noting that Cambodia pulled out after athlete registration lists had already been finalized.
Cambodia's original delegation of 333 athletes, coaches, and officials has been reduced to approximately 100 people, now competing in just 12 sports including swimming, athletics, e-sports, gymnastics, and taekwondo at the December 9-20 Games in Thailand.
