The University of Limerick has won a competitive pitch to host the 2015 World Medical and Health Games.
The week long global gathering of sports enthusiasts from medical professions is expected to attract as many as 2,000 participants from 40 countries, competing in more than 20 sports.
It is estimated that the event will generate over €1.1m in revenue for Limerick and the Shannon region.
“Securing a prestigious event like this is great for Limerick and for Irish tourism,” said Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport welcoming the event.
“It gives us a real opportunity to showcase Ireland’s huge appeal as a major events destination, and also as a holiday destination to all those attending.”
“This event will help us to continue the good work of Failte Ireland in attraction major sporting events to Ireland, and is further evidence that our plans to attract high-profile, mass participation events to Ireland are working. Ireland is open for major events business and this sector is already delivering benefits to our economic recovery.”
Sport for Business Members can avail of a €40 discount on attendance at the European Sport Tourism Summit at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick on Thursday, May 15th. Click here for more details.
“Medigames offers us a fantastic opportunity to showcase the world-class sporting infrastructure we have here at UL’s Conference and Sports Campus,” said Linda Stevens, Director of Conferences and Events at the University of Limerick.
“It was great to see Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau’ working with Failte Ireland to win this event for Limerick. I look forward to seeing further collaboration like this in the future.”
Taking a new focused approach to attracting major international events to Ireland, Failte Irelands new Major Events Unit has been established to work with stakeholders to identify and bid for events such as this.
“With the demographic of participants expected to register for Medigames to include mostly medical and health professionals, securing this major event and this elite group of participants will go a long way in terms of revenue generation and attracting more visitors to Ireland in the future,” said Keith McCormack of Fáilte Ireland.
Limericks bid to host the event was a partnership between Failte Ireland, Shannon Convention Bureau and UL, and other key stakeholders from Limerick, including Shannon Airport, and saw off stiff competition from other overseas destinations. Limerick hosted the event once before in 1996.
The 2014 event takes place in Wels in Austria in June. This short video gives an indication of whet the week at UL will be like…
Join us tomorrow when we begin a series of interviews with some of those who will be involved in the European Sports Tourism Summit in Limerick on May 15th.
