Shanghai hosts Gaelic competition

THE global spread of hurling and football will reach Shanghai later this month when the city hosts the DHL 10th Asian Gaelic Games tournament.

After two years in Hong Kong, the Asian Gaelic Games moves north along the Chinese seaboard where 30-plus teams and more than 450 players from more than 10 Asian countries will take part.

This year’s sevens event will be held at the Shanghai Rugby Football Club, home of the Shanghai Saints & Sirens, from September 23-26.

The first Asian Gaelic Games took place in Manila in the Philippines in 1995 when around 100 people took part. Since then it has grown to become the largest amateur sporting event in Asia, staged in Singapore and Phuket, before moving to Hong Kong.

The organisers hope bringing the tournament to China will raise the profile and awareness of the sport and this year’s event will also feature a hurling competition.

There are competitions for men and women’s teams with Korean club Seoul Gaels dominating the men’s event of late. Since their formation in 2002, the Gaels have completed a three-in-a-row but those trying to stop them making it four include teams from Japan, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

The Hong Kong Ladies will hope to defend the title they won last year.