A vibrant ceremony in Thailand officially welcomed athletes to the 13th ASEAN Para Games, setting the stage for a week of intense competition and regional camaraderie.
Flags Raised in Symbolic Welcome
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the colors of ten Southeast Asian nations filled the air at the historic Thao Suranari Monument (Ya Mo) in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat City. The flag-raising event served as the official welcome for delegations just two days before the opening ceremony at the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium.
The national flags of Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and host Thailand were hoisted at the iconic site. This ceremony powerfully symbolized the core values of the Games: unity, friendship, and the inclusive spirit of sports. Cambodia was notably absent, having formally withdrawn from the competition due to unforeseen circumstances.
Philippine Contingent Ready for Challenge
Team Philippines enters the fray with a strong contingent of more than 200 athletes. The honor of carrying the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony has been bestowed upon veteran wheelchair racer Jerrold Pete Mangliwan. The team is looking to improve upon its fifth-place finish at the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
In the previous Games, the medal table was dominated by Indonesia (159 golds), Thailand (126 golds), Vietnam (66 golds), and Malaysia (50 golds). The Philippines will be aiming to climb higher in the rankings during this edition.
Record-Breaking Games and Host Ambitions
This year's ASEAN Para Games marks a significant return, as the event is being held in Nakhon Ratchasima for the first time in 18 years. Host nation Thailand has set a clear goal: to reclaim the overall championship title for the first time in a decade, ending Indonesia's three-edition winning streak since Kuala Lumpur 2017.
The 13th edition is set to be the largest in the event's history, featuring a record 506 medal events across 19 different sports. This surpasses the scale of the inaugural Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 2001.
The comprehensive sports program includes:
- Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boccia, Chess
- Cycling, Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side, Goalball, Judo
- Powerlifting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Sitting Volleyball, Shooting
- Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Tennis, Tenpin Bowling
Additionally, lawn bowls and wheelchair rugby will be featured as demonstration sports. The Games are scheduled to run from January 20 to 26, 2026, promising a week of inspiring athletic performances and strengthened bonds across the ASEAN region.
