The phrase ‘political football’ is commonly used and never more so than in the run up to this month’s budget but it will take on a new meaning with a new challenge between media and politicians at the Aviva Stadium on October 25th.
Reporters from sport and politics will take on a team of combined TD’s and Senators in a challenge match sponsored by ESB and which will help raise money for Temple Street Children’s Hospital and aid charity Concern.
The idea grew out of an Oireachtas based supporters club for Irish soccer that the FAI has cultivated in order to spread the base of support for both teams and initiatives at a political level.
Sport has pitched a strong case for increased funding as part of the 2014 budget with the Federation of Irish Sport submission last week highlighting a smart job friendly initiative into which ring fenced funds could be put in order to add to growing employment levels and delivery of programmes within sport here.
The challenge will give an opportunity for both houses of the Oireachtas to play alongside each other though the results of Friday’s referendum on whether to retain or abolish the upper house may lead to a shortage of playing numbers should the challenge become an annual one.
Sport for Business will host a Seminar on Sports Tourism at Croke Park on Thursday, November 7th. Limited places are still available. Click here for further details.
No line ups have been announced yet and it is uncertain whether Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar will be called upon to use his height in a Richard Dunne style role at the back.
There are plenty of former All Ireland winning gaelic footballers involved in politics but whether they will be called on to transfer their 15 a side skills to the smaller confines of the Aviva pitch is also yet to be decided.
It’s a good initiative which will help raise money for two good causes and enable another channel of communication between sport and politics through which to highlight the essential role of sport within our society.
