Update | Hong Kong Sixes scrapped due to lack of sponsorship
Popular tournament dropped from 2013 calendar after finding no title sponsor, but event might make a comeback in 2014
Snubbed twice by the government's Mega Events Fund, the Hong Kong Sixes finally threw in the towel yesterday with organisers cancelling next month's tournament.
After months of searching for a title sponsor, the Hong Kong Cricket Association conceded defeat and decided not to go ahead with the 2013 edition of the popular tournament, which in the past has attracted the world's biggest names such as Brian Lara, Shane Warne and MS Dhoni.
It is very sad that we have had to take this decision, but we have not been able to find a title sponsor despite leaving no stone unturned for the past three months,. We tried everything and a lot of people expressed interest but unfortunately no one pulled their cheque book out
"It is very sad that we have had to take this decision, but we have not been able to find a title sponsor despite leaving no stone unturned for the past three months," said HKCA chairman Mike Walsh. "We tried everything and a lot of people expressed interest but unfortunately no one pulled their cheque book out."
A statement issued by the HKCA pointed a finger at the cash-flush Mega Events Fund (MEF) which has nearly HK$200 million in its coffers.
"The rejection of the HKCA's request for [support from] the Mega Events Fund was a significant blow ... and made finding a corporate underwriter for the tournament a significantly more expensive proposition in 2013 with the resulting shortened time frame to find a title sponsor further exacerbating matters."
Earlier this year, the HKCA requested HK$10 million from the Hong Kong Tourism Commission's MEF. This was turned down in June. MEF officials intimated that a reduced application might be considered, but a second request, for HK$5 million, was also rejected.