Kerry-based global payments company Fexco Merchant Services is to sponsor the 2013 Asian Gaelic Games (AGG) and Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum.
PJ O’Kane, First Derivatives; Martin Skelly, Vice President, GAA; Deirdre McCaul, Singapore Gaelic Lions; Isabel Oliveira, Tourism Malaysia; and Pat Gorham, Orang Eire, Malaysia & AGG; at the launch in Croke Park.
This year’s Asian Gaelic Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur from Friday 11th October to Sunday 13th October. The AGG will bring together an estimated 1,000 players, representing almost 50 teams based in the region. While a large number of the participants are Irish nationals living and working in the Asia Pacific region keen to continue their involvement with the GAA, many other nationalities have also been drawn to the excitement of this tournament.
Alongside the AGG, the Asia Pacific Ireland Business Forum (APIBF), hosted by the Malaysia Ireland Business Network and Asian County Board, will be held in the Park Royal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th October 2013. Since its inception in 2006, the APIBF has been organised on the eve of the annual Asian Gaelic Games, the largest gathering of the Irish community in Asia and the Gulf. The APIBF is dedicated to using the extensive GAA network in the region to connect Irish business and people to Asia and the Gulf. It is estimated that approximately 400 Irish business people operating in the region will attend the business forum to network, share their experiences and showcase their products and services.
The event was launched on 21st September in Croke Park, Dublin. Title sponsor for the third year running, Fexco’s Dermot O’Shea, Executive Director of Fexco Holdings and Managing Director of Fexco Merchant Services, said: “This event goes from strength to strength each year and successfully brings together a large number of Gaelic games enthusiasts in the region to enjoy our national games.”
GAA President/Uachtaráin Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Liam Ó Néill said: “This event is a reflection of the enormous achievement of the GAA and the Asian County Board in the development of these games. We now have over 50 teams registered to take part in the 2013 Asian Gaelic Games, which is a true testament to the GAA’s network in the region and reflects its importance to the GAA community.”
Joe Trolan, Asian GAA Chairman, added: “We are very pleased to announce Fexco Merchant Services as our title sponsor for the AGG again this year. We believe Fexco Merchant Services is the ideal partner for this event and we realise the importance of this region to Fexco Merchant Services. The Asian Gaelic Games has been a true success thanks to generous sponsorship from Fexco Merchant Services. We very much appreciate their support for our games and the business networking event.”
