Asia Pacific Outgames’ governing body withdraws from Auckland 2016 - Australia Gay News Network

The governing body overseeing the Asia Pacific Outgames has withdrawn from the 2016 event to be held in Auckland in February. The Gay and Lesbian International Sporting Association Asia Pacific (GLISA AP) said despite the hard work of the working group in preparing for the event, the progress to date has been deemed inadequate and as such it cannot be delivered as an Asia-Pacific Outgames.

SX understands a scaled down event will still be held, organised by a new local group.

GLISA AP’s departure is the latest twist in the Asia-Pacific Outgames Auckland saga.

It comes after the organising board resigned en masse in August after GLISA AP refused to move the games despite it clashing with Auckland Pride, which is held in February every year.

The board said having both events run concurrently posed a challenge in securing sponsors.

That led to the resignation of the board and the company formed to oversee the organisation of the event – Auckland Outgames 2016 Inc – was wound up.

Though a working group was set up to take over, it failed to meet key milestones set by GLISA AP by August 31 which would have allowed it to continue under the Asia Pacific Outgames umbrella.

“The milestones were set as the last opportunity that the event could be delivered to the standard, scope and registration period expected of an Asia Pacific Outgames,” GLISA AP said in a statement.

“GLISA AP acknowledges it was a challenging task to ask of the working group to make significant progress towards resolving all these matters.

“Decisions made by GLISA AP were in the interests of members in meeting their expectations. With progress to date it has been determined that the event as presented cannot be delivered as an Asia Pacific Outgames.”

The news will come as a blow for many international participants buoyed by their experience at the successful 2014 Asia Pacific Outgames in Darwin. Many athletes and support staff will have already booked flights and accommodation.

Team Sydney President Darryl Gauld said he was aware some Australian teams and athletes had already made arrangements to travel to Auckland next year.

But he was optimistic about the new group taking over the organisation of the event.

“They have to do the work of a couple of years in six months – you can only take your hat off to people like that,” Gauld said.

Gauld expects the event to be reduced in size.

“It’ll be made very clear in advance to the visiting intnerational competitors that there will be some events that won’t be held.”

A members meeting of all Team Sydney sporting clubs is set to be held next week.

THE FULL MEDIA STATEMENT FROM GLISA - AP

3 September 2015

After due consideration GLISA-AP must unfortunately announce that the event planned to be held in Auckland in February 2016 will no longer be supported as the 4th Asia Pacific Outgames. GLISA-AP appreciate all the hard work that the new working group put in to date to promote the brand after the resignation of the original games board and organising committee.

In consultation with our member organisations in mid-August key milestones were communicated to the working group to achieve by the 31st August 2015. The milestones were set as the last opportunity that the event could be delivered to the standard, scope and registration period expected of an Asia Pacific Outgames. GLISA-AP acknowledges it was a challenging task to ask of the working group to make significant progress toward resolving all these matters.

The progress response received by the working group was shared and discussed with key members of GLISA-AP via teleconference held from 6:30pm ACST. Decisions made by GLISA-AP were in the interests of members in meeting their expectations. With the progress to date it has been determined that the event as presented cannot be delivered as an Asia Pacific Outgames.

GLISA-AP understands that a rainbow community sports and human rights event will continue to be planned and such an event in principle will still be supported by the Association and its members.

Once again, GLISA-AP thanks those who have volunteered their time and effort to deliver the Outgames in difficult circumstances and hope that a successful independent event will still be realised.

Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association – Asia Pacific Board

Author Reg Domingo