Malaysia is disappointed because Cambodia is free of royalties for SEA Games

On July 22, 2022, 11 Southeast Asian countries agreed to give up free and switch to commercializing copyright, starting with the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. The Council of Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) considers this a breakthrough to reduce the burden of organizing costs for the host, while increasing revenue and commercial development.

But on March 31 of this year, the Organizing Committee of SEA Games 32 Cambodia (CAMSOC) announced that it would continue to waive the broadcasting rights of SEA Games 32 and Para Games 12 for free.

"A bad decision," PCM Chairman Datuk Zaharuddin told the New Straits Times. "SEA Games should be commercialized instead of going back to the starting line."

Before the free decision from Cambodia, PCM was the copyright holder of the 32nd SEA Games, making Malaysia one of the four countries to buy the copyright along with Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia. PCM completed agreements with four broadcasters, three internet service providers and four telecommunications companies for the resale of the rights, but with changes.

"We are very sad and disappointed," Zaharuddin said. "The original plan was to use the proceeds from the resale of the copyright to develop facilities and operations."

Cambodia's royalty-free SEA Games 32 goes against SEAGF's stance on increasing revenue and improving the quality of the regional games. According to Khmer Times, the Cambodian government has a decisive influence in this matter and CAMSOC cannot intervene. The ambition to sell the copyright should be until the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand can be deployed.

Not only free of television rights, SEA Games 32 also has many other special features. Cambodia does not sell tickets to watch the entire sport of the SEA Games. They are also the first host country to provide free food, accommodation and domestic transportation for the entire sports delegation attending the Games. The Vietnamese sports delegation can save about 12 billion VND. In addition, this is the congress with the most competition content in history with 608 from 37 subjects.