By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and the Thailand Sports Organizing Committee (THASOC) vowed to work closely for the successful staging of the 13th ASEAN Para Games Thailand 2025.
The APSF and THASOC assessed the progress of the preparations of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) during the first Coordination Committee meeting held from March 25 to 27.
The discussions included sports and technical, venues and facilities, promotion and marketing, classification, anti-doping control, media operations and broadcasting, protocol and ceremonies, NPC services and accreditation, transportation and logistics, and Games IT infrastructure.
The APSF delegation also inspected the venues of 18 sports to be contested in Nakhon Ratchasima, which is 280 km. from Bangkok, the venue of bowling competition.
With 300 days left before the opening ceremony on Jan. 26, 2026, THASOC reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that the 13th ASEAN Para Games leave a lasting legacy as one of the most significant Games since the inaugural edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2001.
Thailand will be hosting the ASEAN Para Games for the second time since 2008 in Nakhon Ratchasima.
“Thailand has demonstrated its capability to host major sporting events. I am confident that through continued collaboration, APSF and THASOC will deliver an outstanding ASEAN Para Games. APSF will continue working closely with THASOC and all ASEAN NPCs to ensure smooth and efficient preparations,” said APSF President, Major General Osoth Bhavilai, in a press statement Friday.
Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) Deputy Governor for Elite Sports and Sports Science Preecha Lalun said Thailand is on track with its preparations.
“We assure APSF and the participating nations that our preparations are progressing well, and further updates will be provided in the coming months.” he said.
With preparations intensifying, APSF and THASOC remained focused on delivering a world-class, inclusive, and sustainable sporting event for the region’s para-athletes.
“It was a constructive meeting with THASOC over the last three days, where we discussed crucial aspects of the Games’ organization and completed venue inspections for all 18 sports. The meeting reaffirmed our strong collaboration and the need to streamline preparations further. The 13th ASEAN Para Games is set to be the biggest in history, featuring a record 19 sports,” said APSF Secretary General, Senior Col. Dr. Wandee Tosuwan.
The 19 sports are archery, athletics, badminton, blind football, boccia, bowling, chess, cycling (road and track), cerebral palsy football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing and wheelchair tennis.
The 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima will be the main hub for the Games. Other key venues are Vongchavalitkul University, Suranaree University of Technology, The Mall Korat, Terminal 21 Korat, Central Korat, Centre Point Hotel, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, and Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.
The second Coordination Committee meeting is scheduled for July. (PNA)
