The Asia Pacific Masters Games has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Masters Games, aimed at bringing international athletes together in Korea and Australia.
Signed in Sydney by CEO of Confederation of Australian Sport, Rob Bradley and the Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Masters Games, Lee Kang Oh, the MOU brings both countries together to promote the sporting endeavours of our community, no matter how old, how fit or how fast.
The Asia Pacific Masters Games are held every four years, with the second edition to take place in Korea from May 12-20, 2023. To be held in Adelaide for the eighth time since the Games’ inception, the Australian Masters Games is set to welcome more than 10,000 competitors from across Australia and around the world from 7 – 14 October.
Both countries will work together to promote their competitions and to encourage the spirit of the games across two regions, along with co-promotion of both events through websites, newsletters and social media, and exchanging games information. The MOU will also provide the opportunity for Australian Masters Games staff to attend the Asia Pacific Masters Games in their Observation Program.
Mr Bradley said this was the first time they had agreed to work so closely together.
“We’ve always worked collaboratively with our partner organisations and believe in the great opportunities that arise, and the enjoyment of competition for all, no matter what age,” Mr Bradley said.
“One of the great things about Masters Games is that there are no qualification standards, anyone who would like to compete, anywhere, is welcome to, whether that be in Australia, Korea, New Zealand or Taipei, at the next World Masters Games in 2025.”
Mr Kang Oh welcomed the signing of the MOU and said his organisation was “thankful to AMG for their openness to partner with us”.
“The MOU will boost sports and cultural exchanges between the two nations, which is expected to increase understanding and participation in the Masters Games between Australia and South Korea,” Mr Kang Oh said.
“The Australian Masters Games is a sports-for-all event that boasts 36 years of tradition and history, and we intend to learn from the AMG as a role model to maintain sustainability and build an ongoing legacy of the Asia-Pacific Masters Games 2023 Jeonbuk Korea. As a result, it is believed that mutual exchange between two nations will bring much fruit from this partnership.”
He said the Asia Pacific Masters Games would welcome any Australians wanting to compete, and he expected many Koreans would travel to Adelaide in October.
South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the new agreement would help raise the profile of the event in Adelaide this October.
