The head of Derry GAA has said it is "an honour" to host the GAA World Games in memory of a young Derry woman who died tragically eight years.
Lisa Orsi, who played for Ardmore in Derry and had represented her county before moving abroad, was 22 years old when she became acutely ill with altitude sickness on a volcano trek in 2015 and sadly died.
Her father, Dennis Orsi, has been working behind the scenes through a foundation set up in his daughter's memory to bring the World Games to Derry city - as a way of both honouring Lisa's legacy and as a showcase of the vibrancy and diversity of Gaelic games worldwide.
Read more: GAA World Games: Lisa Orsi father on his delight at bringing event to Derry
Derry GAA chairman John Keenan paid tribute to Lisa and her family for their "role in bringing these games to Derry" during a launch event at Owenbeg Centre of Excellence outside Dungiven this week.
“When Lisa Orsi first travelled to Singapore to work as a physiotherapist she found a home from home among the local GAA club. Singapore Lions, with whom she played, became a family for Lisa," Mr Keenan said.
“The global GAA community welcomed Lisa Orsi and now we in Derry GAA have the honour of returning that favour and welcome the global GAA community to Lisa’s own county."
With 93 teams involved, all twinned with Derry GAA clubs, it is a huge logistical operation requiring months of preparation behind the scenes.
“We have been preparing for this since the announcement that our bid was successful. It’s getting close now and we are proud and excited to be involved,” said Mr Keenan.
“For many it will be a chance to return home. For others it will be their first visit to Ireland and to our own county”
“It is a chance for all of us to demonstrate the ‘Live Life’ philosophy of the Lisa Orsi Foundation and celebrate the diversity and community values on which our association is based."
The 2023 FRS Recruitment GAA World Games take place between July 24th and July 27th at Owenbeg, with the finals being played at Celtic Park in Derry City on July 28th 2023.
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