All-China Gaelic Games to be held in Beijing
June 05, 2012This year's tournament is particularly significant, as it marks the 10 year anniversary, both of the All-China Gaelic Games tournament and of the establishment of Beijing GAA club. Over that period, Gaelic games in China have gone from strength to strength. Players hail not just from across Ireland, but from across the world - and indeed many star players took up the sport in China for the first time.
Ahead of the Games, Beijing GAA Club Chairman, Colin Dixon, commented: "I am delighted that Beijing GAA is hosting the All-China Gaelic Games this year, on both the 10th anniversary of our Club and of the Games. It promises to be a great sporting occasion and there will undoubtedly be stiff competition between the teams. Seeing China's Vice President, Xi Jinping, kicking a football in Croke Park during his recent visit to Ireland was a source of enormous pride to all of us involved in the GAA in China. We hope this year's All-China Gaelic Games will help further strengthen the profile and popularity of Gaelic Games across China and the wider region."
Nine men's teams and six ladies' teams, hailing from Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Suzhou and Seoul, as well as a Beijing-based Australian Rules football club, will participate in the 2012 All-China Gaelic Games.
In addition to some great football, participants in the Games can look forward to a variety of fun social events. The opportunity to build new contacts and friendships is an important feature of the GAA in Asia, and the strong social dimension has contributed significantly to the increasingly popularity of Gaelic Games across China.
The All-China Gaelic Games in Beijing have been organised by a voluntary committee from Beijing GAA and have been made possible thanks to sponsorship received from CRH, Saon Group, Irish Network China, Knowledgepoint, Dulwich College, Etihad, Joe Burke, Gavin Grimes and Amy Wendholt. The event is also being supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing. Tweet
