Howzat: Hong Kong Cricket Sixes will return in 2017 as part of grand rebranding plan
HKCA is looking to secure a major sponsor to ensure the long-term future of the event, which has not been staged since South Africa won the tournament in 2012
The Hong Kong Sixes will be back, but fans will have to wait until next year before the popular tournament returns to the local calendar after four years in the wilderness.
The Hong Kong Cricket Association announced on Wednesday that the tournament will be held in 2017, although there was no mention of whether or not the government’s Mega Events Fund was to help finance the event.
The MEF has been in talks with the HKCA over the past few months and a deal was about to be sealed two months ago. However, it is understood the cricket body faced certain restrictions.
The HKCA later said that it was looking at concluding a deal with a major sponsor in order to ensure the long-term future of the event.
Long innings: Cricket Sixes organisers in talks with potential partner to secure long-term future
The return of the Sixes is part of the association’s new four-year strategic plan that also involves a comprehensive rebranding of the body.
“The last 18 months has been a transformational period for Hong Kong cricket’s development,” said HKCA chairman Mike Walsh.