Asian Gaelic Games 2010 launched at Croke Park
September 09, 2010Over 620 players are confirmed to participate with teams from across Asia and the Gulf including Japan and Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia in South East Asia and from Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Gulf to teams from all over China.
For the first time, India will also be represented by a team, with the Wolfhounds from New Delhi taking part. The players are drawn from 11 nationalities, highlighting the multicultural nature of Gaelic Games in this region.
The holders of the Derek Brady Cup (men's football trophy) Hong Kong are going for a record fifth successive victory and the winners of the women's football competition, Singapore Gaelic Lions, are seeking to regain the title.
The hurling competition will return this year with Singapore and Dubai expected to battle it out once again. The youth Gaelic Football competitions will see almost two hundred young boys and girls from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and hosts Hong Kong play in a series of games, demonstrating the dynamic growth of Gaelic Games in the region.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union must be commended in providing three top level artificial surfaces for the games to be played.
The Asian Gaelic Games 2010 is the centrepiece in an expanded programme of events with the importance of building closer business links amongst the Irish business community in Asia a key feature of the 4th annual Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum which will be hosted by the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
The event is the first of its type in the world bringing together GAA and business groups and grew out of the momentum generated by the GAA Clubs in the region. A special session to look at how best to leverage sporting networks in support of Irish business will also be addressed by Christy Cooney.
Commenting at the launch, Cooney said: "The weekend of September 25 and 26 will be a special weekend for Gaelic Games in Asia and Hong Kong in particular. It is all about the various teams who have come together to celebrate their sport and culture many thousands of miles from home. With a number of events taking place in the week leading up to the games, an enormous amount of credit should go to the legion of volunteers and players whose hard work and dedication has gone into preparing the 15th annual Asian Gaelic Games."
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michael Martin, T.D., wished all participants in the games in Hong Kong well. The Minister said: "These games are an important showcase for Irish sporting culture and all involved share a strong connection to Ireland. I am also pleased to note that business links amongst the Irish business community in Asia will be fostered through the 4th annual Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum, held concurrently with the games."
Asian County Board Chairman Paraic McGrath said: "Asia generally and Hong Kong in particular is a key location for the showcasing of Irish sport, culture and business and this weekend will make a serious contribution to this effort. We are looking forward to welcoming over 600 players representing 19 Clubs based across Asia and the Gulf Region. The GAA in Asia is blessed with a rich multicultural make-up and our players, young and old are drawn from over twenty different nationalities."
CEO of Platinum Sponsor, Monex Financial Services Frank Murphy said "as the GAA unites all of Ireland in September for its showcase events, it is fitting that it can unite all of the Irish in Asia also. Monex are very proud to help facilitate this inspirational event."
The Asian Gaelic Games is run entirely by voluntary effort with the generous support of a range of sponsors including: Monex, Pepsi, FEXCO, Magners, Guinness, Morgan McKinley, and Watsons Water while the Asian County Board is supported by Guinness, ESBI, Kerry, PCH International and Enterprise Ireland with the chosen charity for games this year being 'Enlighten - Action for Epilepsy'. Tweet
