《TAIPEI TIMES》 New Taipei hosting regional Gaelic Games
Taiwan Celts players pose with Taiwan’s national flag at the Asian Gaelic Games in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 9 last year. Photo courtesy of Sean Carless
By Grant Dexter / Staff reporter
New Taipei City is this month to host the North Asian Gaelic Games, the first international competition of its kind in Taiwan.
The event promises to be a celebration of Gaelic sports and culture in the region, the Taiwan Celts Gaelic football (GAA) club said yesterday.
The Games “will feature teams from across the continent, including Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and, of course, Taiwan,” said the Celts club, which is organizing the event.
More than 200 athletes from Taiwan and abroad are to compete in hurling and camogie — stick-and-ball team sports originating in Ireland played by men and women respectively — as well as GAA, the club said.
The Taipei-based club said it is the international Gaelic sports community’s representative in the nation.
Founded in 1995, it is the oldest GAA club in Asia. It participates in the North Asian and Asian Gaelic Games each year. The men’s team were crowned junior cup champions in Kuala Lumpur last year.
“The club organizes regular training sessions and events, providing opportunities for both Taiwanese and expatriates to learn about and participate in Gaelic sports,” the Taiwan Celts said.
“The Taiwan Celts are an important part of the Gaelic sports community in Asia, and play a vital role in representing Taiwan on the international stage,” the club said.
The North Asian Gaelic Games are to be held at Fuhe Sports Park in Yonghe District from 8am to 6pm on May 27. For more information, contact TaiwanCeltsGAA on Facebook or Instagram.
“The club has received generous support from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the Gaelic Athletic Association of Ireland, as well as private sponsorship from companies such as Linesight, Blackrock Cottage and ... Redpoint Brewing Co,” the Taiwan Celts said.
新聞來源:TAIPEI TIMES