Bonus money too little, complain HK players
A win bonus of HK$15,000 for each player has received a lukewarm response from Hong Kong's part-timers who lifted the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.
The Hong Kong Cricket Association's executive committee on Thursday decided unanimously to reward the 14-strong Hong Kong squad which won the ACC Trophy for the first time with a handout of HK$15,000 - HK$2,000 for reaching the final and HK$13,000 for defeating the United Arab Emirates.
But the players are unhappy with the bonus even though it is the first time - outside the Hong Kong Sixes - that the senior team have received performance money. The total sum given to the team was HK$210,000 to be shared equally by the 14 players.
'We thought we would get around HK$30,000 each. We think we deserve more, especially with the association bound to benefit from Hong Kong winning the ACC Trophy,' said one player who wished to remain anonymous.
Another said: 'This is less than what we all expected. We made history by winning the ACC Trophy and we think we should have got more.'
By winning the ACC Trophy, Hong Kong have qualified for the next Asia Cup against the top four test nations in the region.
If this tournament is held before the next ACC Trophy, it could mean the HKCA is in line to get US$300,000 from the Asian Cricket Council as participation fees. They received this amount for taking part in the 2004 and 2008 Asia Cups. HKCA chairman Darren Tucker, who described the ACC Trophy win bonus as 'substantial', said the payment was made to acknowledge the efforts and performance of the team.
On top of the win bonus, the HKCA had also introduced an incentive scheme whereby players were given HK$10,000 for scoring a century or taking five wickets, and HK$5,000 for making a half-century or taking three wickets.
Najeeb Amar, who made a ton in the final against the Emirates, and Irfan Ahmed who took five wickets in an earlier match, were the only two players to win the big prize although a number of other players hit the smaller incentive mark.
'We will continue with this incentive scheme at the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Tanzania in October,' Tucker said.
If Hong Kong finish in the top two in this six-team tournament - the others are Afghanistan, Fiji, Italy, Jersey and Tanzania - they will enter Division Three and move a step closer to qualifying for the 2011 World Cup.
Show us the money
The bonus prize money Hong Kong players will each get for winning the ACC Trophy: 15,000
