| XVI ASEAN University Games | |
| Motto: | We Are ASEAN Family |
| Host City: | Vientiane, Laos |
| Nations: | 11 |
| Athletes: | 1700 |
| Events: | 240 in 17 sports |
| Opening: | 12 December |
| Closing: | 20 December |
| Opened By: | Thongsing Thammavong Prime Minister of Laos |
| Torch Lighter: | Vatsana Sijan and Saton Sutina |
| Stadium: | New Laos National Stadium |
| Previous: | Chiang Mai 2010 |
| Next: | Palembang 2014 |
| Website: | auglaos2012.com |
The 2012 ASEAN University Games officially known as the 16th ASEAN University Games was a Southeast Asian university multi-sports event held in Vientiane, Laos.[1] This was the first time Laos hosted the games. Laos is the eighth nation to host the ASEAN University Games after Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Vietnam.
The games was held from 12 to 20 December 2012, although several events had commenced from 11 December 2012. Around 1700 athletes participated at the event which featured 240 events in 17 sports. It was opened and closed by Thongsing Thammavong, the Prime Minister of Laos at the New Laos National Stadium.
The final medal tally was led by Malaysia, followed by Vietnam and Thailand with host Laos in fifth place.
The Organising Committee of the 16th ASEAN University Games was formed to oversee the staging of the games.[2]
The 16th ASEAN University Games had 16 venues for the games.[3]
| City | Competition Venue | Sports |
| Vientiane | ||
|---|---|---|
| National Sport Complex | ||
| Main Stadium | Athletics, Football, Opening and closing ceremonies | |
| Aquatic Center | Aquatics | |
| Archery Field | Archery | |
| Gymnasium I | Badminton | |
| Tennis Court | Tennis | |
| Gymnasium II | Indoor Volleyball | |
| Beach Volleyball Stadium | Beach Volleyball | |
| National University of Laos | ||
| National University Stadium | Football | |
| Olympasia Gymnasium | Sepak Takraw | |
| Convention Hall | Table Tennis | |
| Booyong Gymnasium | Taekwondo, Pencak Silat | |
| Petanque Court | Petanque | |
| Others | ||
| Chao Anou Vong Stadium | Football | |
| Gymnasium, Lao -Thai Beung Kha Nhong | Basketball, Muay | |
| Chao Anou Vong, Gymnasium (Budo Centre) | Judo, Karate | |
| Phonsawan School | Wushu | |
The 2012 ASEAN University Games logo is a "Nark" or "Naga" a worshipped animal throughout the ASEAN nations. According to Laotian myths, "Nark" or "Naga" appeared 450 years ago in the Lao saga before the establishment of Vientiane in which it took its name "Vientiane Chanthabury Sisattanabhut". It is said to be an animal full of omnipotent power and it's believed to parry spirits and evilness. The "Naga" logo bears the Plumeria alba, commonly known as Frangipani and locally known as Dok Champa, the symbolic and national flower of Laos, symbolises Laos as the host nation of the games. Overall, the logo represents the ASEAN University Games aim of creating good will of spiritual solidarity, friendship and peace within the ASEAN community.
The official mascot of the 2012 ASEAN University Games is a pair of bees named Mr. Santiphap and Miss Mittaphap. The adoption of the Bee as the games' mascot is to relate the bees who work together in solidarity, strength and efficiency to the savants and architectures of the ASEAN nations. The name of the male mascot, Mr. Santiphab (Mr. Peace) represents the Peace between the ASEAN nations whereas the name of the female mascot, Miss Mittaphab (Miss Friendship) represents the Friendship between the ASEAN nations.[4]
The official motto of the games is "We Are ASEAN Family". It was chosen to highlight the unity of the ASEAN countries through sport as well as the purpose of ASEAN University Games in creating solidarity, friendship and peace within the ASEAN Community.
The opening ceremony was held on 12 December 2012 at 17:30 (LST) at the New Laos National Stadium. The opening ceremony begins with the parade of athletes from participating nations into the stadium. The Laos contingent was led by Sonexay Mangkhuela, the gold medalist of Taekwondo event at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. This was followed by the speech of the minister of Sports and Education of Laos, Phankham Viphavanh, the declaration of the games' opening by Thongsing Thammovong, then Prime minister of Laos and the athlete and referee oath and the lighting of the games cauldron. The ceremony concludes with the song and dance performance by 1600 Laotian primary school students.[5]
The closing ceremony was held on 20 December 2012 at 17:30 (LST) at the New Laos National Stadium in which Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Asang Laoly declared the Games closed.
The 2012 ASEAN University Games programme featured 334 events in 17 sports and disciplines. The number of events in each discipline is noted in parentheses.[6]
Cambodia
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand