Hong Kong Cricket Sixes and T20 Blitz postponed: organisers plan to combine both events in a festival of cricket in autumn 2019
Cricket Hong Kong officials blame lack of funding but are excited at the prospect of a world-class week-long event next year
A lack of funding has forced Cricket Hong Kong to postpone its two major world-class events – the World Sixes and Hong Kong T20 Blitz – but the governing body says it will bring both back in autumn 2019 for a week-long festival of cricket that would raise the profile of the sport in the city.
The Sixes was scheduled for October 26-28 2018 but CHK officials have spent the past few days telling teams and sponsors that it is off for this year. The Blitz, which was launched in 2016, was due to be held in February next year.
Both tournaments are now scheduled for October 2019, according to Jonathan Cummings, board member of China Cricket International Limited – Cricket Hong Kong’s commercial arm.
“With two established tournaments in such close proximity to each other – and in the midst of an increasingly congested international cricket calendar, particularly in February, we have seen an opportunity to create synergy by combining these two premier international tournaments into a unique multi-day festival of cricket,” said Cummings.
“This will allow us to realise the very exciting opportunities created by joining these two high-profile international events in a larger platform that will also showcase the best of Hong Kong cricket to the world.
“The new event will be built on a platform of innovation and inclusivity – values that truly showcase what cricket in Hong Kong is all about, from our outstanding national women’s team, to our work promoting the game in China and our outreach to local schools and Hong Kong’s non-ethnic Chinese community, for which this tournament holds particular relevance.”