The GAA Handball World Championships are underway in Citywest in Dublin, running through until Sunday.  2,000 players from around the world have entered to participate across the 21 courts  that have been constructed in the main exhibition area.
That number of players is double that which took part the last time the Championships were hosted in Ireland and the potential for attracting overseas visitor was a key factor in the decion of Failte Ireland to support the event with a sponsorship package worth €100,000.
“This tournament is great for the economy and for Irish tourism,” said Transport Tourism and Sport Minister Leo Varadkar.  “With some 2,000 players and a further 1,000 coaches and officials attending, there is a great sense of accasion. The visiting players will stay an average of 10 days, and every one of them will bring their own experience of Ireland back home with them.”
The event is all ticket with seating for 3,000 and viewing facilities enhanced by the glass construction of the courts.  Yesterday saw a children’s tournament get things underway followed by a team match in which the USA beat Ireland.
One important factor has been the support of local business in terms of the infrastructure needed to put on such a big event.
All ticketing is being handled by the GAA’s ticketing partner, and member of Sport for Business, Tickets.ie while the tournament entry and administration software is supplied by Belfast based Servasport.
“GAA Handball Ireland has enjoyed unprecedented growth in recent times and the hosting of the 2012 World Handball Championships, in such an era, provides a further platform which we hope to utilise to reach heights never previously witnessed. A huge team of volunteers will ensure that the 2012 World Championships will put our fantastic sport, one which can be played by everyone from any background and at any age, firmly on the national and international sporting map”, said GAA Handball Ireland CEO, Chris Curran in launching the event.