Cathay Pacific and Standard Chartered announced today that they will co-sponsor the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, which will be played for record prize money of HK$2 million later this year.
The Cathay Pacific and Standard Chartered Hong Kong Cricket Sixes will be staged at the Kowloon Cricket Club in Cox’s Road on November 10 and 11 with eight top playing nations chasing the prizemoney.
The International Cricket Council has approved the event. Organisers, the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) in conjunction with WSG-Asia, have invited teams from Australia, England, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, West Indies, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates. The final seven teams to join Hong Kong will be announced shortly
The tournament will see eight teams drawn into two pools of four with the top two sides in each pool entering the Cup semi-finals and the others contesting the Plate semis.
‘We are delighted that Cathay Pacific and Standard Chartered have agreed to sponsor the Cricket Sixes. This event will be a welcome addition to the Hong Kong sports scene,’ said Mike Walsh, the HKCA Chairman.
‘The upturn in the economy over recent years has resulted in the re-appearance of a terrific tournament concept and that is great news for SAR sport. There was a tremendous atmosphere at previous Hong Kong Sixes and I am sure thisnew event will prove equal in every respect. Staging this tournament can be a great boon for Hong Kong cricket as it will help to expose the ever growing number of local players to a taste of what world class cricket is all about.’
Giants of the game, including Viv Richards and Brian Lara of the West Indies, Pakistan’s Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram and Australia’s Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark, have strutted their stuff at previous similar Tournaments.
The first international tournament was held in 1992 with the series coming to a halt in 1997. Pakistan won the first event and the 1997 edition, held at the Hong Kong Stadium, with England winning in 1993 and 1994, a strong South Africa side triumphing in 1995 and India picking up the trophy in 1996.
With the quick fire six-a-side format suiting the fast-pace of life in Hong Kong, and the neat Kowloon Cricket Club providing a perfect setting,the Cricket Sixes quickly became a popular fixture on the local scene.
The full-house crowds gave noisy and colourful support to some of the leading players in the world who rose to the occasion with thrilling exhibitions of batting, bowling and fielding.
The Cup finalists later this year will duel for a first prize of HK$623,000, which is more than double what Pakistan won for their victory in 1997.
For further information please contact:
David Deller
WSG-Asia
Tel: 2891 2000
or Mark Burns
Hong Kong Cricket Association
Tel:2504 8108