A report from CDG Brasil on next year's National LGBT Diversity Games

Thanks to CDG for this news of their progress in organizing the first national LGBT games, to be held 18-22 September 2012:

In 2012, Brazil will hold its largest sporting event aimed at the LGBT community and supporters, ispired by the Gay Games. The event, called the JOGOS NACIONAIS DA DIVERSIDADE LGBT – JODS (National LGBT Diversity Games) will take place in September 2012 in the city of Campo Grande in central Brazil in the region known as the "Pantanal" .

For this first edition, it is estimated the participation of 1300 athletes from all over Brazil, competing in six sports: Athletics (Track and Field), Handball, Indoor Football, Swimming, Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, as well as a certain number of demonstration sports. In addition, a cultural program will be held, with exhibitions, concerts, fairs and lectures and conferences on human rights.

"We need to limit the number of subscribers, to avoid problems in the organization because this is the first year of competition and so we want all participants to be well treated and well cared for, because all participants are entitled to food, internal transport and other benefits funded by the government. We expect that the next edition we will have greater financial incentive so that we can increase the number of participants", said Erico Santos, President of the CDG Brazil and Executive Director of the Games. "But we're happy to know that the city council and the governor of the state is supporting the hosting of the games and are sparing no effort to make this event a success."

The event has been being prepared for two years by CDG Brasil, the national LGBT sports committee, and has the support of the government of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul and the municipality of Campo Grande. The event will also benefit from the encouragement of the Brazilian sports ministry via a tax incentive for companies supporting the event.

The event is receiving attention from the local press. This week, the directors of the event were in town to perform the technical inspection and to sign the formal agreement with local governments, the entire visit being recorded by two major Brazilian communication networks: Globo and SBT, opening doors for sport LGBT citizens for more serious treatment by the Brazilian population.

In addition to the National LGBT Diversity Games, in 2012 Brazil plans to again welcome the Latin American international volleyball tournament, organized in Columbia last year, as well as hosting several national competitions in various regions.

All this concern reflects the will and work to be done seriously for Brazil to enter a city to bid for the Gay Games in 2018 and to show the world that there is expertise and professionalism in Brazil in the performance of major international events.