Rody, Pacquiao hugely popular in Cambodia

Rody, Pacquiao hugely popular in Cambodia

Yahoo! News | 14 December 2016

PHNOM PENH – World boxing champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao joined President Duterte’s delegation for his two-day visit here for the signing of sports and tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Cambodia.

Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher Montero said the Cambodians had requested Pacquiao’s presence. He said the Philippine side agreed, hoping to strengthen the two countries’ relations through sports development.

“Of course, when you talk about sports, it’s our way to further people-to–people exchange between our two countries, also exchange of best practices on sports management and training and exchange of sports officials,” Montero said, revealing that even Prime Minister Hun Sen is a Pacquiao fan. 

“I don’t know if you are aware that Sen. Manny Pacquiao will be joining the delegation precisely because we are to highlight sports as a means to foster people-to-people exchanges,” Montero told reporters before the President’s arrival last night. 

“And here in Cambodia, if you say that you are from the Philippines, the first thing that they will tell you is Manny Pacquiao. In fact, even the Prime Minister himself is a huge fan of Manny Pacquiao,” he added. 

Montero added that Cambodia’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2023 has kindled its interest in sports. 

“They requested us to have a meeting with Senator Pacquiao because he is to them an example of an Asian making it big in the international sports scene,” he said.