The Ireland Fund of Japan generously agreed to act as Patron for the event with the aim of promoting the work of the Ireland Funds in Irish communities in Asia (The only Ireland Fund in Asia at present is in Japan) and to encourage the establishment of other Ireland Funds in the Asian Region.

For the first time ever, this year's event raised a substantial amount for charity - two projects will be supported, one in Thailand and one Ireland-based charity to nominated by the Ireland Fund of Japan. The Thai charity will be represented by Father Joe Maier whose "Human Development Centre" in the Klong Tey suburb of Bangkok has been nominated as the designated charity in Thailand.

The Human Development Centre in Klong Tey, Bangkok co-ordinates 31 kindergarten schools for 4,500 slum children aged three to six. In addition, Fr. Maier's centres also provide vocational training, support for AIDS sufferers and even hospice care for older children but the emphasis is on equipping young, poor children to enter the Government school system. The Asia Gaelic Games with representatives based throughout the region, are keen to further develop links with sporting and social groups in the region and welcome this opportunity to support such a deserving cause (For more information see the HDC website)