THAILAND is eyeing an all-time high of 19 sports for the 13th Asean Para Games scheduled from Jan. 20 to 26, 2026 in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchashima, known by its shorter name Korat, the Asean Para Sports Federation announced over the weekend.
Except for tenpin bowling, which will be staged in the Thai capital of Bangkok, all the other disciplines will be held at the Nakhon Ratchashima Sports Complex, also the site of the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games, the APSF said in a statement.
It is the second time the games for the region’s best physically and mentally challenged athletes will be held in Thailand’s third-largest city, the capital of the province of Nakhon Ratchashima since 2008.
The first was the fourth edition in 2007, also held in Korat, where 14 sports were contested with Thailand emerging as overall champion with 257 gold medals.
Issues surrounding the 13th APG were discussed during a meeting of the federation with Krisada Thantheutitt, secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.
Also present at the meeting was the APSF delegation led by president Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai, secretary general Col. Dr. Wandee Tosuwan and APSF treasurer Charnvit Munikanond, deputy governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, and Professional Sports and Boxing Division.
The Philippines finished fifth overall in the medal standings in the 32nd Cambodia Asean Para Games two years ago with a haul of 34 gold, 33 silver and 49 bronze medals.
Issues raised during the meeting were how ready the Thai hosts were for the 13th APG edition, including sports and technical operations, accessibility, venue management, Games facilities, classification process, anti-doping measures, marketing and media outreach, broadcast arrangements, and sealing the collaboration through the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Bhavilai emphasized the importance of forming a dedicated sub-committee to tackle challenges efficiently, particularly with the 33rd SEA Games occurring from Dec. 7 to 20 or virtually a month before the APG.
“A dedicated team will streamline operations and ensure a focused approach to the Games,” he said.
Bhavilai assured the APSF’s commitment and looked forward to close collaboration with the organizers in addressing technical, operational and human resource aspects of the Games.
“We assure our member nations that preparations for the Games remain on track. With close collaboration with the organizers, we are confident that the sportsfest will take place as scheduled in January 2026,” he noted.