HKCA Executive Confirms Backing for the 2009 Sixes

The Hong Kong Cricket Association Executive Committee has confirmed that the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has the full backing of the Board to proceed this year on October 31st and November 1st at Kowloon Cricket Club.

HKCA Hon. Treasurer Dinesh Tandon said, "The Sixes is an important component of the promotion of cricket in Hong Kong. We've done our sums and this important decision gives confidence to the market about the Sixes and allows us to proceed confidently with the organisation of the tournament."

The move was welcomed by Sixes Tournament Director Mark Burns,

"This is great news for sports fans in Hong Kong and around the world. The Sixes is a world event in Hong Kong, a fantastic party, and a superb platform for marketers and corporates keen to promote their brands, products and services. Of course we welcome and encourage the support of corporate Hong Kong for the territories top cricket tournament.

"We're working in a challenging economic environment but this decision allows us to move forward confidently to stage our showcase tournament and all the entertainment it offers fans," said Mr Burns.

First staged in 1992, the Sixes was awarded the Hong Kong Government's 'M Mark' status in 2007, the recognition reserved for elite level sports events which also includes the Rugby Sevens and the HK Marathon.

England are the current defending champions following their thrilling last ball victory over Ashes rivals Australia in the 2008 Cup final.

In 2008 Sixes organisers inked a landmark 3 year deal with Taj TV of Dubai for its Tensports channel to produce and distribute the Sixes live on TV which resulted in the Hong Kong tournament being beamed into 80 million homes worldwide, including live and full coverage into India, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong.

"The Sixes is an amazing event to be part of, but it also has a serious contribution to make to Hong Kong cricket in terms of helping to promote and grow our sport here in Hong Kong, as well as attracting overseas tourists and delivering a positive image of Hong Kong internationally," continued Mr Burns.

Sixes organisers are working with several agencies to source sponsorship of this year's tournament including Laxton Marketing, Fluid Group and GND.

Mr Simon Squibb, CEO at Fluid Group, said, "this decision will allay any uncertainty in the market. We have told companies the Sixes is 100% going ahead this year and we are speaking with some big brands with a real interest in sponsoring the tournament. They understand the power of sports marketing following the Olympics buzz. Many organisations, sometimes feeling the pain of a damaged brand due to the financial crisis, see Asia as their potential growth market, and want to let the world know they are still very much in business. Investing in a fun, blue chip, sports property like the Hong Kong Sixes is the perfect way to do that!"

Regarding the format of this year's tournament Mark Burns said, "the final event format and schedule for the week are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.  We're looking at a number of new and exciting options, but I can say at this time we're concentrating an 8 team format similar to previous years.

"What did work very well last year, in addition to the action and excitement at KCC, were the junior and school visits and of course the parties, especially the massive Sixes Player Party in Lan Kwai Fong on the Sunday night, so I think we can expect more of the same."

This is the 100th anniversary year of the founding of the International Cricket Council and to mark the occasion the ICC is holding celebrations all over the world. The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes has been selected as a suitable occasion for the Centenary celebration in Hong Kong.

"It's exciting news for the Sixes to be an ICC 'Catch the Spirit' Centenary Celebration event.  It's the perfect occasion for to celebrate the Spirit of Cricket with so many international teams here,  thousands of local cricket fans and millions on TV. We'll be working closely with the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council on details of the 'Catch the Spirit'  celebration," said Sixes Tournament Director Mark Burns.

End.

For further information about the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, see the event website at www.hksixes.com

Or contact :

Mark Burns

Tournament Director

Tel. (852) 2543 8500

Email. mburns@hkcricketsixes.com

Six-a-side cricket is the quickest, most fun-filled version of the glorious old game - a feast of world class players, thrilling matches, huge hits and spectacular catches.

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is the longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes tournament in the world.

It offers two days of fast and furious action in a festival atmosphere - 8 international teams, 45-minute clashes, global TV coverage and big prize money up for grabs.

First played in 1992, the tournament is fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and backed by the boards of the Test-playing nations.

Stars who have taken part include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist, Anil Kumble, Wasim Akram, Sanath Jayasuriya and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Adding to the excitement is the exotic venue: Kowloon Cricket Club, situated in the heart of Hong Kong with the teeming city's skyscrapers providing a breathtaking backdrop.

England, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa - all have triumphed at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

But the real winners are the fans, who enjoy two days of pulsating action.

And it is all for a worthy cause - profits from the tournament are ploughed directly back into cricket development in Hong Kong through the Hong Kong Cricket Association.

To develop the game of Cricket in Hong Kong in terms of:

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) is responsible for professionally administering cricket at all levels in Hong Kong. It aims to promote, expand and develop the sport, improve standards in all areas of the game and increase the number of participants from all sectors of the local community. It organises competitions throughout the year for all age groups, from primary school children to senior players. The HKCA's wholly owned subsidiary, China Cricket International Limited, is responsible for the organisation and management of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes