GAA looks to spread its wings in Hong Kong with help of Allstars

THE GAA is set to spread its wings into the Hong Kong school system. Plans are already at an advanced stage for members of the Irish community to teach the basics of hurling, football and camogie to children.

"The club in Hong Kong is now committed to starting Gaelic football in schools and we are about to place large orders for about eight schools," said Fergal Power, one of the senior members of the GAA club.

"It has grown over the past two years to become probably the largest in Asia," he said.

That factor, along with the weather, were the central reasons why the tour came to Hong Kong GAA club.

Since 2001 the Allstars have been taken to Dubai, Argentina and the US (twice). The Cayman Islands was one of the destinations examined for this year's tour but the GAA club in Hong Kong made a compelling case, just as they had in being chosen for the Asian games last year.

Phuket in Thailand, one of the areas hit by the tsunami, previously hosted the games and current GAA president Sean Kelly attended them that year.

"In pitching for the games, we highlighted Hong Kong's infrastructure and facilities which we feel are second to none," said Power.

"The Irish population in Hong Kong is about 1,000 but it goes much further than that.

"Through Gaelic football, Irish culture is now experienced by many thousands more. Over 2,000 went through the gates over the weekend of the Asian games," he said.

"However, the numbers of Irish are declining, as many of the older people are retiring and repatriating to Ireland.

"This makes the GAA very important in terms of attracting more youth to Hong Kong. Recently Hong Kong and the Irish government signed a youth exchange programme, which allows young Irish people to obtain one-year work holiday visas in Hong Kong," said Power.

"This is quite unique for Hong Kong, the closest arrangement in existence being one which permits young New Zealand travellers a three months work visa.

"With a re-emerging economy there are plenty of opportunities for young people here, especially teachers and accountants."

And there is plenty of opportunity for competitive outings he said. "We compete regularly at International Rules against Australian counterparts, the HK Australian Dragons and they will take on an Asian selection in a game preceding the Allstars match.

"A ladies football match is also planned and will feature players from a host of countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, China and Singapore."

The venue for the Saturday's match is the Hong Kong Football club.

"A full day's rugby and soccer has been postponed and moved elsewhere for the occasion," Power said.

"This is highly unusual, because football club teams rarely play away from home."

The Hong Kong Police band will provide pre-match and half-time entertainment.

The Allstars will train tomorrow (Friday) following which the party will be taken on a 45-minute bay cruise.

During their stay in the city, the players will have an opportunity to play golf while a visit has been arranged to the world famous Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday.