Ice Hockey Giants For Belfast

A number of high profile international sporting events are to take place in Belfast over the coming months, thanks to the support of Belfast City Council.

The events cover ice hockey, basketball, football, athletics and Gaelic sports, as well as feats of strength and endurance.

The most high profile event being supported by the council is the visit of the legendary Boston Bruins ice hockey team at the beginning of October.

One of the founding members of the National Hockey League, the Bruins will be playing their first ever game outside north America when they take on a special Belfast Giants Selects team - made up of an all-star selection of the best of the UK Elite League players - in a pre-season exhibition at the Odyssey Arena on 2 October.

Two months earlier, at the same venue, international basketball will be the focus of attention.

The Belfast International Basketball Classic, at the Odyssey on 6 and 7 August, will see one of the US collegiate circuit's top teams, face off against the top Australian NBL side Melbourne Tigers in a two-day competition that will also feature the England and Scotland national teams.

"In the last ten years, Belfast has built a strong reputation for hosting major events," commented Councillor Conor Maskey, Chairman of the Council's Development Committee.

"Prior to 1999, the visit of the Tall Ships was perhaps the one stand out major event to be hosted by the city.

"However, with the changes in the political climate, the city has had a renaissance in major event management.

"It began with the World Cross Country Championships in 1999, and gradually bids for major events became more ambitious," continued Councillor Maskey.

"The next eight years saw Belfast host many significant events, such as the World Irish Dancing Championships, the World Amateur Boxing Championships, the U19 European football championships, the Special Olympics Ireland games, the U19 Rugby World Cup and, most recently, the hugely successful return of the Tall Ships last summer - arguably the largest ever event on the island, with an estimated economic impact of £16 million to the city.

"Events such as the International Basketball Classic and the visit of the Boston Bruins add to this pedigree and to our reputation, and the council is delighted to have played its part in attracting these events to our city," concluded Councillor Maskey.

The council, through its 'Support For Sport' funding scheme, is also backing a number of smaller national and international events during the autumn and into the early part of 2011.

These include the Belfast Tropics Invitational basketball tournament, featuring teams from the USA, Cyprus, France, England and the Republic of Ireland; the 'Ultimate Firefighter' competition at Custom House Square; the 2010 Legends XI Belfast Cup, featuring teams representing Liverpool, Manchester United, Glentoran and Crusaders; the bi-annual Runher 5K and 10K; the first ever Belfast Off-Road Duathlon; the 29th annual Ulster Minor Club Football tournament at St Pauls GAC, starting in November; and the annual Irish Indoor Athletics Championships at the Odyssey Arena next January.

(BMcC/KMcA)