LettersHong Kong Cricket League and the South China Morning Post: 115 years of building social bridges
- When apologists are everywhere and cricket is often seen as just a colonial artefact, the truth can benefit from a little rediscovery
Congratulations to the South China Morning Post as it celebrates 115 years of serving Hong Kong. Some readers may be surprised to learn that the Post also shares a common anniversary with Cricket Hong Kong or, more correctly, its forerunner – the Hong Kong Cricket League.
In 1903, with the foundation of the Hong Kong Cricket League, organised cricket became available to all, regardless of race, colour and creed. Soon after, the Kowloon Cricket Club, Club de Recreio, the Chinese Recreation Club, Hong Kong University Cricket Club and the Indian Recreation Club joined in.
To help celebrate this milestone, which opened the way for “cricket for all”, the fledgling Post donated a magnificent shield for the Hong Kong Cricket League Championship.
Many champion sides graced the intricate and most wonderful shield from 1903 on an almost annual basis, until it disappeared in 1941.
