According to Sankei Biz, Bandai has announced an international championship of Gundam plastic models ("Gunpla"). The contest "Gunpla Builders World Cup 2011" will be held in thirteen countries from this month till December. The qualifiers of the regional preliminary contests will be gathered at the final round "Gunpla EXPO World Tour Hong Kong 2011" in December and the world champion will be selected. The entrants will be judged by the building and painting techniques and the creativities.

The host countries for the regional heats:
Japan
China
South Korea
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Thailand
Singapore
Malaysia
Philippines
Indonesia
Australia
USA
Italy

Source: Sankei Biz