Cambodian PM offers cash to end medals drought

PHNOM PENH, Nov 29 (Reuters) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will reward any athlete who brings back a gold medal from the Asian Games with 5,000 dollar of his own money, local media reported today.

The controversial premier, who has led the war-scarred nation for much of the last two decades, also pledged to stump up 3,000 dollar for silver and 2,000 dollar for bronze medals.

''We should make it official that money is given to any of our athletes who win medals on the international stage,'' he was quoted as saying by the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper.

Prior to the team's departure for Qatar, Hun Sen gave each athlete 300 dollar spending money. Cambodia is fielding competitors in beach volleyball, swimming, athletics, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling and snooker at the December 1-15.

But given Cambodia's form at previous Games, Hun Sen is unlikely to be out of pocket.

The Kingdom has not won a medal since the 1970 Games in Bangkok, where it took two silvers in boxing, and bronzes in volleyball and swimming.

The country's sports chiefs admit the cash-strapped team is likely to struggle in Doha, but harbour hopes of a medal in wrestling, snooker or taekwondo.

Cambodia has sent a team of 14 men and three women to the Qatari capital, with Games organisers and the Olympic Council of Asia picking up the bill.

In September, Hun Sen said Cambodia's Olympic committee members were freeloaders and accused them of squandering almost 1 million dollar on their personal expenses.

Reuters PDS RN2041