MANILA – The ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and the Thailand ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee (THASOC) affirmed their commitments to deliver the best-ever editions during the third and final series of coordination meetings at Kantary Hotel in Nakhon Ratchasima on Friday.
Kantary Hotel is the official headquarters of the 13th ASEAN Para Games scheduled Jan. 20 to 26, 2026 at multiple venues in Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok.
Despite the recent flooding affecting several regions of Thailand, THASOC assured that Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is fully secured, operational and unaffected.
APSF president Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai was satisfied with the progress achieved.
“We are encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by THASOC and we remain confident that preparations in Nakhon Ratchasima are fully on track,” he said in a news release Saturday.
“While the flood situation remains a concern nationally, we are reassured that it has not impacted Games operations in Korat. APSF will continue working closely with THASOC to resolve all outstanding matters to ensure a safe, well-organized and world-class ASEAN Para Games.”
Bhavilai led the seven-member APSF delegation, which included secretary general Maj. Gen. Dr. Wandee Tosuwan and key APSF Secretariat members.
Representing THASOC were Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) deputy governor for Elite Sports and Sports Science and representative of the Minister of Tourism and Sports Preecha Laloon; Paralympic Committee of Thailand vice president Dr. Kittipong Photimu; Nakhon Ratchasima Governor’s Office director Anucha Intansorn; Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand president Maitree Khongruang; and senior officials of all operational committees.
APSF and THASOC reviewed the progress in all major functional areas, including sports and technical operations, classification, venues, facilities, protocol, opening and closing ceremonies, information technology and results systems, accommodation and catering, arrival and departures, transportation and logistical services, security and safety planning, medical and anti-doping services, media operations and broadcast planning, and volunteers’ deployment.
During the meeting, the APSF and SAT signed a memorandum of understanding formally reaffirming Thailand’s mandate as host nation and strengthening operational cooperation across all functional areas of Games delivery.
“This agreement strengthens THASOC’s mandate and outlines the standard operational guidelines to ensure that the Games will be delivered in compliance with international sporting regulations and best practices,” Tosuwan said.
More than 2,500 athletes and officials from Southeast Asia will compete in 19 sports, namely athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball, archery, badminton, shooting, judo, sitting volleyball, blind football (5-a-side), cerebral palsy football (7-a-side), boccia, goalball, powerlifting, wheelchair tennis, table tennis, cycling (track and road), fencing, chess and tenpin bowling (Bangkok). (PNA)
