If you’re an Irish man or women in Asia this weekend, or simply a newcomer to Gaelic sports, well there’s only one place to be and that’s in Hong Kong at the 15th Asian Gaelic Games.
The games are set to throw-in tomorrow Saturday Sept 25, in Hong Kong, China, with the biggest ever participation of countries and players for this annual two day event.
Over the past 15 years the games have grown from strength to strength and the numbers this year exemplify the upward curve with over 800 players from 23 clubs representing 14 countries across Asia and the Gulf region.
For the first time, a team from New Delhi in India, the Wolfhound’s, will play in the tournament along with another new club, a ladies team from Suzhou in China.
The games will also see some 200 boys and girls from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and hosts Hong Kong, play in a series of underage games illustrating the steady growth of Gaelic sports in the region.
Played on 5 pitches at Kings Park, Kowloon and Kowloon Tsai Kow, the tournament format is 9-a-side matches lasting 14 mins each.
Teams from Japan in the far north east to Jakarta in the south, to Dubai in the Gulf will gather to do battle for 8 trophies with Hong Kong ready to defend the prestigious Derek Brady Cup and the Singapore Lionesses also striving to keep their ladies trophy.
Since 2007 the event has been coupled with the new Asia-Pacific Ireland Business Forum which was held earlier today and later in the evening the Games’ Opening Reception took place poolside at the Kowloon Cricket Club with GAA President Christy Cooney in attendence along with Honary Asia GAA President, the recently retired radio legend, Micheal O’ Muircheartaigh.
