EÒRPA INVESTIGATES THE FUTURE OF THE GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Wednesday 28 November 8.30pm on BBC ALBA Eòrpa reporter Darren Laing investigates what the future holds for the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the players who take part, in the next programme of the new series on BBC ALBA. No sport in Ireland has the following and prestige of the Gaelic Games - an amateur group of sports including Gaelic football and hurling, run by the GAA. A striking example of the GAA’s power and status can be found in Dublin’s Croke Park. Home of the GAA, it has room for over 80,000 fans and where full houses can be expected for the big inter-county games. One thing separates the GAA from other sporting organisations of a similar size, and that is its amateur status. Players can expect to receive nothing more than basic travel expenses and training support from their club and representatives at the Gaelic Players’ Association. With games now regularly televised live, and players training just as hard and as often as professional athletes, Eòrpa examines the debate as to whether players should be compensated more. Also in the programme Anne Lundon reports from Spain on the problems they facing in the Delta Ebra with Apple Snails, common to South America, that are eating their way through the rice crops which could devastate the rice production in the region. There is no concrete evidence as to how the snails were introducted into the eco-system, however attempts to eradicate them are proving very difficult. Both sides of the delta are now affected and there are fears that 2014 could be catastrophic for the rice producers. Produced by BBC Gàidhlig, Eòrpa is broadcast weekly on BBC ALBA at 8.30pm.