Horse race held in S. Cambodia

[geovalin]

KANDAL, Cambodia, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- A horse race event was held here on Sunday with the aim of promoting equestrian sports and attracting tourists to this southern province, an organizer said. Some 77 horses were registered for a 1.2-km race along a dirt track, which was flanked by about 3,000 visitors, said Srey Chanthou, owner of the SCT Sport Complex.

"This is the first time we organize the races," he said. "It is aimed to encourage people to raise horses and to promote the sports of horse riding."

Horse rider Ly Sovanchannara, 22, said the event will hopefully promote sports and attract tourists to the province. "Such event will contribute to developing equestrian sports as Cambodia is scheduled to host the SEA Games in 2023," he said.

Amateur horse rider Chhorm Chhum, 37, said his participation was for fun only, not for championship. "My horse is used to transport farming products every day and when this event was announced, I joined the contest for pleasure only," he said.

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