With exactly two months until opening day, the Asia Pacific Outgames has reached a significant landmark. More than 1,000 people have registered for the Wellington event, with new sign-ups said to be flowing in strongly. Participants to date are coming from New Zealand, Australia, the United States of America, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, India, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and more. "What is great is that support is strong right across the Outgames, for the Human Rights Conference as well as the 16 sports competitions," says Co-chair Virginia Hopkins-Burns. "We especially appreciate the support from the large numbers of Australians coming over." Burns says support from Australian teams is so strong that in hockey, football and volleyball, most of the medals are set to leave New Zealand unless more kiwis sign up to those sports. "To use a recent Aussie tourism promotion line, we are asking Kiwis in those sports 'Where the bloody hell are you?!'" says Virginia. "Even if you're not in a team at the moment, you can still sign up to play a team sport and we can match you up with other New Zealand players." "This is a golden opportunity to play and socialise with players from around the country and overseas." Registrations for the Outgames will be open until February 26, but a late entry fee of NZ$25 will be applied after 6 February. The 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames is 8 days of sports competition, a human rights conference, a major arts and culture festival, and social events and parties in Wellington, New Zealand, 12-19 March 2011. Information is available, and registrations can be made, on the website www.welllingtonoutgames.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 12th January 2011 - 1:34pm