AFTER 18 YEARS NAKHON RATCHASIMA BASKS IN GLORY AS HOST OF APG

From FARAH NAJIHAH ZURAIMI

NAKHON RATCHASIMA (Thailand), Jan 20 (Bernama) -- After 18 years, Nakhon Ratchasima has once again become the focus of Southeast Asian para sports as the 2025 ASEAN Para Games (APG) was officiated through a meaningful opening ceremony at the His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary, Dec 5, 2007, Sports Complex here tonight.

Cheers from the audience accompanied the historic moment as the ceremony began with live music performances that brought the atmosphere to life, coupled with friendly interactions with the crowd that warmed the entire arena.

The rhythm of the ceremony was then elevated to a different dimension through a blend of arts and culture, where laser technology was integrated into performances themed One Symphony, Heartbeat ISANPOP, and Rhythm of Heart. Each carried its own unique message and was enlivened by a spectacular fireworks display.

The excitement peaked with a video screening of the athletes before the parade of contingents began, featuring the entry of national flags and athletes from the 10 competing nations.

The parade started with the host nation alongside official symbols of the competition, followed by the Games' mascots, before the contingents from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam entered the stadium in that order.

The Thai contingent, as hosts, concluded the parade, with each country represented by approximately 50 athletes and officials. Earlier, the Malaysian flag was flown proudly during the parade by national badminton player Nurzammiezatul Syafiqqah Mohamad Zamberi (SH6 – short stature), with the national contingent led by Chef de Mission (CDM), Mohd Zarrawi Ravi Abdullah.

In his opening speech, the President of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF), Major General Osoth Bhavilai, emphasised that the Games are not merely a competitive arena, but an important platform to strengthen the development of para sports and regional cooperation in championing the rights and recognition of para athletes.

The ceremony continued with the formal raising of the Thai national flag, as well as the APSF and APG flags, followed by the oath-taking by representatives of the athletes, officials, and coaches as a symbol of commitment to integrity and sportsmanship.

The climax of the evening saw the torch relay before athlete representatives lit the cauldron, greeted by a burst of fireworks to signal the official start of the biennial Games.

APG 2025 is scheduled to run officially from today until Monday (Jan 26), featuring 19 sports contested at various venues around the Nakhon Ratchasima province, with tenpin bowling being the only event held in Bangkok.

However, this edition of the Games saw the withdrawal of Cambodia, which was confirmed via a media statement on Jan 10 following official notification by the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia to the APSF. In a letter dated Jan 8 addressed to the APSF President, Cambodia informed that their athletes were unable to participate in the Games due to unforeseen circumstances.

--BERNAMA