FEXCO and the GAA bring the Asian Gaelic Games to Shanghai
Pictured are Kerry Footballer Killian Young and Tipperary hurler John O Dwyer with H.E. Dr. Yue Xiaoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland.
A host of Irish sporting personalities including Kerry’s Killian Young, Tipperary hurler John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer and Dublin legend Barry Cahill lined out in Croke Park this morning to officially launch the 21st Annual Asian Gaelic Games sponsored again this year by FEXCO.
Presented by the Asian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and FEXCO, Ireland’s largest, privately owned financial technology company, the 2016 FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games will take place on November 5th and 6thin Shanghai, China.
Featuring 65 teams representing 20 clubs from across 18 countries in Asia, the FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games will see more than 800 Irish, as well as non-Irish GAA players who have picked up the sport, come together to battle it out in a weekend of over 200 fixtures.
Games Ambassador, Cora Staunton commended the games commenting: “The FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games is a unique and special event that allows so many of our expat community members, as well as international friends, to enjoy a true piece of Ireland over the Games weekend. I feel privileged once again to be part of the Games as an event ambassador, the high esteem in which they are held abroad is testament to the Asian County Board and to the GAA. I can’t wait to touch down in Shanghai in November and would like to wish all the teams the best of luck this year.”
The participating teams represent Senior, Intermediate and Junior divisions in both ladies and men’s football, hurling and camogie. Throw in for the first game takes place at 8am on Saturday, November 5th culminating in the finals at 6pm on Sunday, 6th November.
Director General of the GAA, Páraic Duffy commented: “The Asian Gaelic Games is a true reflection of the work and commitment of the Asian County Board and the participating players, managers and their support networks. I would like to extend my best wishes to all those involved in the 2016 edition and to thank FEXCO for their continued support.”
Speaking about the 2015 FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games, Joe Trolan, Chairperson of the Asian County Board, said: “2015 represented a significant milestone when we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Asian Gaelic Games. Now, in 2016 we can look ahead to the next decade of the Games as we welcome the newest generation of players to the sport from across Asia. The event continues to grow from strength to strength due in no small part to the support of companies like FEXCO helping to make the vision of the Games a reality every year.”
Managing Director of FEXCO’s Merchant Services Division, Denis Cleary, said: “I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the dedication and commitment of those involved in coordinating the Asian Gaelic Games and it is truly commendable. We are delighted once again to partner with the Asian County Board to support this international, community-linked GAA sporting event. The sponsorship is a natural fit for FEXCO as the passion and professionalism of the Games are reflected in our own core values and the Asia region is one of the key focus areas for our business growth strategy. We, at FEXCO, would like to wish all participating teams the very best of luck in November.”
Barry Cahill pictured at the launch of the FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games.
About FEXCO
FEXCO is Ireland’s most successful multinational payments, financial and business solutions provider, with operations in 29 countries worldwide. Founded and headquartered in Ireland in 1981, FEXCO employs more than 2,300 people across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.
FEXCO serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. FEXCO also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business.
For 35 years FEXCO has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers. To find out more visit www.fexco.com
The FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games is an annual tournament held under the aegis of the Asian County Board. The event brings together clubs from all over the Asia region in a two-day tournament in which Men's, Ladies and Juvenile teams compete for top honours in football, hurling and camogie Over the course of the two days over 200 matches are played across a number of pitches and the number of teams and standard increases every year.
The FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games is a 9-a-side tournament with matches lasting 14 minutes each. The tournament has been running since 1996 and moves from city to city each year - they have been hosted in Manila, Singapore, Phuket, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Penang, Bangkok, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. There are ten trophies up for grabs over the weekend along with individual All-Stars, MVP & Club awards to be won. The top teams in the competition compete for the Derek Brady Cup, the Ladies Cup, Hurling Cup and Camogie Cup.
Now in its 21st year, the FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games has grown to be the premier Irish event in the Asia region and is the highlight of the calendar for the Irish in Asia & the Gulf.