Teams flock to Hong Kong for Cricket Festival

Cricket teams from Japan, Australia, Macau, China, the Philippines and Korea fly into Hong Kong this week to compete against local opponents in the 7th Ichor International Hong Kong Cricket Festival being held at Mission Road Cricket Ground from 5-7th December.

Seventeen teams in total, including the defending champions from Shanghai, will compete for honours in this award winning annual tournament designed to celebrate the diversity of the sport with it's motto of 'friendship through cricket.'

"There's hot competition on the field of course, but friendship and camaraderie at the Festival are as important as winning," said Tournament Director Brad Tarr of Lamma Cricket Club.

"For seven years we've run our Festival by this mantra of 'friendship through cricket' and the strong support from cricketers who travel to enjoy Hong Kong from all around the world is evidence of the popularity of the message," Mr Tarr continued.

The action gets underway at Mission Road Cricket Ground (Tin Kwong Road) at 9am on Friday morning and concludes with a trophy ceremony on Sunday evening.

Spectators are very welcome and entry is free.

In addition to the cricket action there are a range of social activities for participants to enjoy including a Players Party and a Gala Dinner.

The Ichor International Hong Kong Cricket Festival supports the Make A Wish children's charity activities in Hong Kong.

The Festival won major awards from the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council in 2005 for contributing to the development of cricket.

For further information about the Ichor International Hong Kong Cricket Festival 2008 and directions to the ground see the tournament website www.hkcricketfestival.com or call 9422-5907.

The Hong Kong Cricket Festival is organised by Lamma Cricket Club and received an International Cricket Council Award for contributing to the development of cricket in 2005. The tournament is a part of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour circuit of events which also includes Phuket, Philippines, Australia, Shanghai and Bangkok.

An Asian Cricket Sixes Tour event: www.cricketsixes.com

4th Dec
7.00pm Officials Meeting
8.00pm Captains Meeting

5th Nov
Day One of Competition
7.30pm Friday Casual Function, Delaney's Wanchai

6th Dec
Day Two of Competition
8.30pm Festival Gala Dinner, India Club, Kowloon

7th Dec
Finals Day
Awards Presentations following the Cup Final at Mission Road Cricket Ground