Cambodia Fencing Champions Earth Warrior Day with Island Cleanup on Koh Rong
Koh Rong, Preah Sihanouk. September 30, 2025
When athletes trade their swords for gloves and garbage bags, sport reveals one of its deepest powers: to unite communities beyond the competition floor. On The Earth Warrior Day, Cambodia Fencing stepped into that role with remarkable purpose, leading to a large-scale environmental cleanup on the picturesque island of Koh Rong.
Organized in partnership with Infinity Sports and the Cambodia Asia-Pacific Tourism Association, the event drew more than 350 participants, including government officials, police and military personnel, Royal Gendarmerie officers, teachers, students, private company employees, and local residents. Together, they worked to restore and protect the natural beauty of Koh Rong — one of Cambodia’s fastest-growing tourist destinations.
At the helm was Mr. Reach Sovann, Governor of Koh Rong City, who led the campaign himself. He praised the collaborative energy and expressed joy at seeing citizens, institutions, NGOs, and the private sector shoulder-to-shoulder in service of their shared home. “This initiative is more than a cleanup,” he said. “It is a symbol of unity and a commitment to keeping Koh Rong both livable for its residents and attractive for visitors. I hope this will become a tradition for the years to come.”
The fencing community’s involvement was spearheaded by Mr. Sok Ang, Secretary-General of the Fencing Federation of Cambodia. He led athletes and young fencers in joining city leaders and students along Prek Svay beach, clearing debris and bringing new life to the shoreline. Their presence sent a powerful message: discipline and responsibility in sport can translate seamlessly into environmental stewardship.
This event was not an isolated effort. Since 2022, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has established the Fencing and Environment Council, dedicated to combating climate change and safeguarding the planet. The council’s work has included reducing paper use in competitions and meetings, as well as encouraging member federations to take an active role in local environmental initiatives.
Cambodia has emerged as a committed contributor to this movement. In 2024, the federation collaborated with Infinity Sports and the Kandal Provincial Department of Environment to organize a cleanup at Phnom Udong, marking the nation’s first official participation in Earth Warrior Day.
For Mr. Sok Ang, these projects represent a bold new direction: “This is a new vision for our federation. Fencing is not just about sport — it is about social responsibility. By aligning fencing with environmental and tourism development, we are showing that athletes can also be guardians of their country’s future.” He confirmed that such activities will now become a permanent part of the federation’s annual agenda.
As the sun set over Koh Rong’s turquoise waters, the sight of fencers, schoolchildren, and citizens working side by side carried a resonance beyond the day’s work. It captured the essence of sport as a force for progress: fierce on the field, gentle with the planet, and uniting people in the fight for a sustainable future.
— By Chor Sereymorakot
