Cambodia is set to host the Southeast Asian Games, welcoming athletes from 11 nations to compete in Phnom Penh. It is the first time Cambodia has hosted the games, which take place every other year, but were only 12 months apart due to the pandemic. More than 11,000 athletes, coaches and delegates will attend for the opening ceremony this Friday. Competitors will participate in a range of events, including athletics, swimming and football. Cambodia’s government has promoted the event as a way to showcase the country’s stability and has gone all-out in encouraging local enthusiasm, offering free tickets and a month-long closure of all schools. The games are also aimed to boost the country’s tourism.