PHNOM PENH, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's first biggest-ever National Games kicked off at the Olympic Stadium here Friday evening with the shows of parachuting, martial arts, traditional dances, and fireworks at the inaugural ceremony.
Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and his wife Bun Rany presided over the opening ceremony, which was attended by some 60,000 people.
During the three-hour ceremony, paratroopers displaying the Cambodian and Olympic flags parachuted into the middle of the stadium, while soldiers showed traditional martial arts and artists performed dances.
There was also a procession of sporting delegates from across the kingdom.
Addressing to the ceremony, Hun Sen said the historic event was crucial to enhance sports sector and it also truly reflected the country's full peace and political stability.
"This is a new milestone in the Cambodian history in promoting and developing sports sector," he said. "The event aims to build capacities for our athletes in a journey towards the 32nd SEA-Games in 2023 when Cambodia is the host."
Meanwhile, he called on the compatriots to play sports for the sake of their own health.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Hang Chuon Naron said some 2,700 athletes and coaches along with 846 technical officials took part in 15 disciplines spread across 189 categories, making it one of the largest sporting events ever held in Cambodia.
The opening ceremony came to an end when the prime minister handed the Games torch on to an array of Cambodian sports stars and masters before the igniting of the Game flame.
The 1st National Games started on Oct. 25 with the opening ceremony on Friday and will last until Nov. 5. The competitions have been held at two sports complexesthe Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh and the Techo Sen Swimming Center in southeastern Kampong Cham province.
