Opening Ceremony Marks Beginning of a Tournament Showcasing Irish Heritage and Culture Shangai, September 23, 2005 - The DHL Asian Gaelic Games opened with a bang on Friday night as more than 450 tournament participants and guests including Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minster of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Declan Kelleher, Irish Ambassador to China, Consul General Nicholas O'Brien, Irish Government representatives, Shanghai Government officials, and major sponsors, including Gold Sponsor Enterprise Ireland, celebrated the official opening of the DHL Asian Gaelic Games at Shanghai's Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The Asian Gaelic Games, being held in Mainland China for the first time in its 10-year history, featuring a men's and women's seven-a-side Gaelic Football tournament (and also, for the first time, a Gaelic Hurling tournament) has grown to become the largest amateur sporting event in Asia. During the Opening Ceremony, a competitive and nail-biting team draw determined the order of play for Gaelic Football teams from across the Asian region who will be battling to end the dominance of Korea on the men's side and Hong Kong on the women's side. "It is a great honor to be here in Shanghai to witness the opening of the DHL Asian Gaelic Games and to build on the strong cultural, diplomatic, and economic ties we have with China" said Mr. Noel Treacy T.D. "The Games are a great demonstration of two of the most enjoyable sports in the world and of Ireland's unique cultural and sporting heritage". Since its inception in Manila in 1995, the Asian Gaelic Games has received strong support from both the Irish Government and the public, helping to make Gaelic Football one of the fastest growing sports in the Asia Pacific region. This year's event will attract more than 450 players on 35 teams from 10 countries and will welcome in excess of 2500 spectators to Jinqiao, Pudong, Shanghai from September 23rd to the 25th. "Enterprise Ireland is delighted to be a Gold Sponsor for the first Asian Gaelic Games to be held in Mainland China and to continue supporting linkages between Ireland and China," said Michael Garvey, Asia Director, Enterprise Ireland. "The phenomenal growth in popularity of The Games is clear evidence of a rapidly growing Irish presence and influence in Asia." During the 3-day tournament, teams from Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan will each participate in a round-robin tournament followed by a playoff round. "Irish citizens are extremely proud to see the tremendous growth of Gaelic Football in Asia and to have this tournament taking place in one of the world's most dynamic and influential countries. Ireland is committed to building on the full range of Sino-Irish cultural exchanges and to further our already strong relations with China." commented His Excellency, Mr. Declan Kelleher, Ireland's Ambassador to China. The Games will take place at the Shanghai Rugby Football Club (SRFC), Dulwich College International School (DCIS) football pitch and Concordia International School Shanghai football pitch from 9:30 to 18:00 on Saturday, September 24th. On Sunday September 25th the games (including the finals of the tournament), will be held at the SRFC throughout the day. Gaelic Football combines the use of both hands & feet in a game that is best described as a mixture of the rough and tumble style of rugby and the skill and finesse of soccer. As one of the most enjoyable and socially rewarding sports to play for both men and women, Gaelic Football's popularity continues to spread across China and Asia. About Shanghai Gaelic Football Club It was in December 2001 that Kiwi (New Zealander) Greg Rumney, a participant in the first ever Asian Gaelic Games, urged Noel Lennon to found Shanghai's first Gaelic Football Club. Following a concerted recruitment effort by China-based Irishmen Ronan McGuinness and Declan Surlis, along with the support of Geoffrey Keating, the Irish Consul in Shanghai at the time, the China Gaelic Football team, as it was then known, was born. About Enterprise Ireland Enterprise Ireland is the Trade and Technology Board of the Irish Government, responsible for the development of Irish-owned industry. Through our network of 11 Irish offices and 33 international offices, Enterprise Ireland offers a gateway to Ireland for international companies looking for world-class suppliers. Enterprise Ireland is committed to boosting the growth of Irish companies to achieve international success and competitive advantage, through innovation, development and exports. About DHL With annual revenues of over € 24 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net. For further information please visit: www.asiangaelicgames.com Or please contact the media team: Maria Gilsenan Tel: +86 13816116764 email: [email protected] Michael Bowens Tel: +86 13816502901 email [email protected] Marina Jamison Tel: +86 13918561994 email [email protected] Tweet

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