As one element of the International Olympic Committee's global youth strategy, OVEP is a tool devised to maintain young people's interest in sport, as well as encourage them to practise sport and promote Olympic values.

Students and lecturers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and the Cambodian Mekong University participated in the three-week programme, which took them to schools in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Kratie.

Makoto Yazaki, from the University of Tsukuba, presented the reports of the programme at the NOCC headquarters, noting that Cambodian students understood about people with a disability because of their work in sport.

Yazaki added that the students had a very positive image of Paralympic athletes and were willing to work in this field, but said the Games were still unfamiliar to most people in Cambodia.

Taekwondo's Sorn Seavmey was one of five Cambodian athletes to receive an Olympic scholarship certificate at the ceremony ©Getty Images




Ken Gabriel, OVEP coordinator, said the programme would continue through to September following the departure of the Japanese volunteers.

The NOCC's OVEP team are due to take it to Kampongthom this month, Phnom Penh in May, Siem Reap in August and Pursat in September.

As part of proceedings, Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the NOCC, presented Olympic scholarship certificates to five Cambodian athletes, aiding their bid to qualify for Rio 2016.

Taekwondo's Sorn Davin and Sorn Seavmey, a middleweight gold medallist at the 2014 Asian Games, were joined by London 2012 swimmer Hemthon Vitiny, and wrestling duo Ngoun Makara and Chov Sotheara.

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