Minister of Education and Sports, Associate Prof. Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek (right) presents the sports flag to Secretary of the Champasak Provincial Party Committee Mr Alounxay Sounnalath (left) to prepare to host the 13th National Games in 2028.

Host city Vientiane grabs top spot at National Games

Host Vientiane successfully hosted the 12th National Games during November 15-25 and grabbed the top spot with 109 gold, 91 silver and 119 bronze medals.
Vientiane was earlier in the second place at the 2022 National Games in Xiengkhouang province with 58 gold, 51 silver and 97 bronze medals.
Vientiane also handed over the sports flag to a representative of Champasak province during the closing ceremony of the National Games, which was attended by the Prime Minister, Mr Sonexay Siphandone, the Minister of Education and Sports, Associate Prof. Dr Thongsalith Mangnomek; the Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Athsaphangthong Siphandone, the Secretary of the Champasak Provincial Party Committee, Mr Alounxay Sounnalath, and senior officials from various sectors.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone declares the National Games closed.

Mr Sonexay said, “On behalf of the Lao government and in my own name, I would like to express my praise and commendation for the achievements of the organising committee, the party committees, the local authorities, the multi-ethnic people of Vientiane, the sports leadership from all sectors, coaches, referees, athletes, entrepreneurs and the Lao people from all walks of life who contributed to the organisation of this event, making the 12th National Games a success that beautifully met its objectives and goals. I sincerely commend this success with all my heart. At this point, I would like to announce the official closing of the 12th Games.”
Dr Athsaphangthong said, “The 12th Games are developing Lao sport across the country, which is important for various sectors that will continue to develop sports.”

This year’s National Games were held at a time when Laos is marking three important anniversaries - the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the 105th anniversary of the birth of late President Kaysone Phomvihane.
The competitors represented three ministries, 17 provinces and the capital Vientiane.
The 12th Games comprised 33 sports - football and futsal, shooting, crossbow, archery, chess, pencak silat, petanque, judo, wrestling, boxing, swimming, badminton, snooker, rugby, wushu, cycling, top spinning, table tennis, taekwondo, sport dance, tug of war, e-sport, boat racing, muay Lao, maklae, karate-do, weightlifting, golf, bodybuilding, volleyball and beach volleyball, tennis and soft tennis, basketball, sepak takraw and chinlone, and track and field events.
This year’s Games had 1,563 medals up for grabs, including 432 gold medals, 432 silver medals, and 699 bronze medals.
Vientiane has hosted the 1st National Games in 1985 and 12 other sport events, including the 2nd National Games in 1987 and the 6th National Games in 2020.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 26, 2025)