Culture - Sports

ASEAN Para Games 2025: Media centre launched, flag-raising ceremony marks countdown in Thailand

The Main Press Centre (MPC) of the ASEAN Para Games 2025 was officially unveiled at the conference centre of the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand within the His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Sports Complex.

Delegations to the ASEAN Para Games 2025 pose for a group photo after the flag-raising ceremony. (Photo: tdtt.gov.vn)
Delegations to the ASEAN Para Games 2025 pose for a group photo after the flag-raising ceremony. (Photo: tdtt.gov.vn)

Bangkok (VNA) – Preparations for the 13th ASEAN Para Games gained momentum on January 17 with the official launch of the Games’ main press centre and a flag-raising ceremony welcoming the ten participating delegations in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

The Main Press Centre (MPC) of the ASEAN Para Games 2025 was officially unveiled at the conference centre of the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand within the His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Sports Complex. The ceremony was presided over by Dr Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), who highlighted the pivotal role of the media in conveying the spirit, achievements and atmosphere of the Games to audiences across the region and beyond.

Local authorities affirmed that Nakhon Ratchasima is fully prepared to host the regional sporting event for athletes with disabilities.

The MPC will serve as a central hub for information dissemination, competition statistics and real-time data connectivity, enabling journalists from ASEAN countries to report quickly, accurately and in line with international standards.

Dr Kongsak noted that the media coordination centre is a key mechanism to ensure systematic information management and effective support for both domestic and international media.

Later the same day, the organising committee held a flag-raising ceremony at Thao Suranari Square, marking the official presence of the ten ASEAN delegations competing at the Games.

Under the slogan “Create Pride Together,” the organisers hope the Games will offer athletes meaningful experiences while strengthening bonds among Southeast Asian nations.

The Vietnamese Para Sports delegation, led by Le Thi Hoang Yen, Deputy Director of the Sports Authority of Viet Nam, attended the ceremony alongside teams from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste and host Thailand.

The 13th ASEAN Para Games will take place from January 20–26, featuring 19 sports and a total of 493 gold medals. Several events, including athletics, swimming, powerlifting and cycling, will also serve as qualification pathways for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan. Cambodia has officially withdrawn, leaving ten nations competing at this year’s edition./.

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