The Galway Masters Basketball Association is gearing up for another action-packed weekend as it prepares to host the 12th Galway Masters International Tournament. This year's tournament, which takes place from Friday November 1 to Sunday November 3, promises to be a spectacle of sportsmanship, competition, and giving back to the community.
The tournament is an annual highlight for master's basketball enthusiasts worldwide and has grown exponentially since its inception, attracting teams and players from across the globe. Over the years, it has successfully maintained a balance between competitiveness on the court and fostering a vibrant social atmosphere off it. Once again, Galway City Council are supporting the event as main sponsor. “Sports tourism is an important revenue generator for any city, especially out of the normal tourist season” says Mike Lydon from Galway Masters. “Our event is a real boost to the local economy when it’s badly needed in November, and we are very grateful to Galway City Council as our main sponsor and to the many smaller sponsors who support the event every year” he added.
The tournament operates on a 'not for profit' basis, with surplus funds and the proceeds of the Gala Dinner raffle being donated to a nominated charitable cause each year. This year's event will benefit the Galway Mountain Rescue Team. Speaking about the event, Team Leader Mick Casserly said “We are delighted to be associated with the Galway Masters Tournament this year. The Galway Mountain Rescue team is a voluntary organisation providing 24-hour search and rescue services to remote and upland areas of counties Galway & Clare. Our teams rely heavily on the generosity of donors and are very grateful to the Galway Masters for this year’s nomination”.
The 2024 tournament features seven divisions: Men’s 40s, 50s, 60s & 65s, and Women’s 40s, 45s & 50s. In an effort to enhance the overall experience, the tournament has been streamlined to one venue, with 47 teams participating this year, all competing in the fantastic facilities at the University of Galway's Kingfisher Club. The event showcases not only the love of the game but also the power of sport to make a positive impact on society and players of all ages.
For more information about the tournament and game schedules, please visit the official Galway Masters Basketball Association website at www.galwaymasters.ie or follow them on social media for updates and highlights throughout the event. The tournament takes place from 2pm to 9pm on Friday 1st, 9am to 7pm on Saturday, with the finals being held on Sunday 3rd from 9.30am to 6pm.
