|  President’s
Report
2002 – 2003
PREAMBLE
Cricket continued to thrive as a sport in Hong Kong during last year
in all its many areas and our governance, finances, development, and
links
with international bodies continue to strengthen a slow and steady manner.
Of particular note was the success of the Hong Kong senior team in
the HK Cricket Sixes event and the opening of a new ground at Po Kong
Village
Road.
The long term underlying challenge that the Association faces is to
develop a successful mechanism for retaining and introducing into senior
cricket
the increasing number of youngsters who are playing the game at school
and in our junior teams by virtue of the considerable success of our
development programme recognizing that this will involve the identification
and development
of new grounds the better use of existing facilities which are available
to us and the development of alternative strategies such as indoor cricket.
INTERNATIONAL
Hong Kong participated in many international tournaments staged locally
and overseas during the year with mixed success. In respect of the U15
tournaments we took the opportunity to introduce a number of U13 cricketers
for experience and this impacted overall competitiveness. However, the
unusual differences in physical build up among the players were also
noted by ACC, and as a result ACC is going to introduce a new weight-and-height
formula in the coming youth competitions with a view to eliminate any
abnormalities.
- The Hong Kong
Senior Team successfully defended the title in the rain affected
Senior South
East Asian Championships 2002 (Tuanku
Ja’afar
Cup) in Hong Kong by beating Malaysia and Singapore. In the ACC Trophy
held in Singapore, Hong Kong was reached in the semi-final stage
but were beaten by U.A.E. who went on to win the Trophy.
- Hong Kong U15 played Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in the South
East Asia Championship in the Malaysian capital in October 2002 before
competing
in the U15 Asia Cup. Hong Kong was placed third among the four teams.
- The Hong Kong U15 went on to participate in the ACC U15 Asia Cup
held in Sharjah, U.A.E. in December but failed to proceed to the
second round.
Nevertheless the boys proved that they were strong in the skills
area and competitive among other Asian teams.
- There were no international matches for U13 and U19 during the
year. The U19 South East Asia Championship which was scheduled for
April was
eventually postponed due to SARS in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG CRICKET SIXES
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes event was successfully staged at the Kowloon
Cricket Club in November with teams from England, South Africa, India,
Australia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.
The continuing support from Cathay Pacific Airways and Standard Chartered
Bank
ensures the event is now a permanent fixture on the Hong Kong cricket
calendar.
Pakistan successfully defended their championship title by beating
England in the Final, and Hong Kong did magnificently in winning the
Plate competition.
A good many individuals and organizations especially K.C.C. gave tremendous
support and on behalf of the association I would like to record our thanks
and appreciation.
DOMESTIC
- Another successful season. With the inclusion of SubCont CC in
the League,17 teams participated in the Saturday League. The non-availability
of the
KGV ground for much of the season fortunately did not affect the
fixtures
much due to the fact that our new ground at Po Kong Village Road
Cricket Ground became available for use.
- The Sunday League comprised 8 teams, one team less than last year,
but the League was still as competitive as ever with Pakistan Association
being
acclaimed champions.
- The Sunday Cup began immediately following the conclusion of the
League. An exciting and close final match between Pakistan Association
and Scorpions,
led to the latter clinching the title.
JUNIOR CRICKET
- The Association
successfully introduced an U17 Junior League last year in order to
bring Hong
Kong in line with international development
trends.
25 junior teams participated in five divisions of the Junior League
in the 2002 – 2003 season and 5 of them comprised all Chinese
players.
- The Playground League enjoyed its fourth year. 66 teams with over
1200 students took part in the tournament. It is particularly pleasing
to
see local student standards rising and it should be recognized that
some players
in the Hong Kong Junior National Teams came from the Playground League.
- The Junior Player Pool proved to be successful and will continue
during the next season.
- The Association continued to join hands with the 4 community sports
clubs to promote cricket in Hong Kong. The Association is also actively
assisting
a fifth community sports club to be established in the coming season.
GROUND
AND FACILITIES
- Hong Kong cricket entered a new era following the inaugural match
between SubCont CC and Nomads at Po Kong Village Road Cricket Ground
on 7th September
2002. With support from ICC, ACC, and members of the HKCA and particularly
HKCC the initial development of Po Kong Village Road ground was finally
completed. One pitch has been developed in the first season, and the
development of a second pitch is already underway for completion during
the off-season
period. Improvement works on Pitch A have also been carried out. Members
can expect to see an all new PKVR in the coming season.
The Association is petitioning the Lands Department to extend the lease
of Po
Kong Village Road beyond 2004.
- Discussions with
the Leisure & Cultural
Services Department have begun on transferring Tin Kwong Road Ground
(Mission Road) to
the Association. Since
complicated legal issues are involved, it is expected that the actual
transfer may not take place until 2005 at the earliest. This, again,
would be a major
achievement on ground development and will present the opportunity for
the HKCA to enjoy its own ground.
- Finally in terms of grounds and facilities I would like to extend
the Associations thanks to HKCC and KCC for their continuing splendid
support to Hong Kong
cricket.
COACHING CENTRES AND SCHOOLS VISITS
- The LCSD Elementary Training Centres, Gappers at HKCC, and KCC
training centre continued to attract more than 1500 participants annually.
- Demonstrations
to schools tripled in 2002/2003 from 51 to 156, illustrating the
Association’s
effort to promote cricket in the local community.
STAFF
There had been several
important staff changes during the year. Mr Rahuman Farcy retired after
9 years of excellent service and on behalf
of all
our members we
extend our thanks and best wishes to him for a happy retirement. His
position has been filled by a Sports Development Executive who will
mainly assist
development of cricket. Tabarak Dar has been assigned to assist the
National Coach Coordinator
to train Junior National Teams on a regular basis following his attendance
of an I.C.C. course in Pakistan specially designed for National Coaches.
Danny Lai,
Simone Kwan, Ron Brierly, Lal Jayasinghe, Charly Lam and the other
coaching staff continue to provide a strong team to support the work
of the Association
whose
thanks I must record for all their hard work and continuing dedication
to the cause of cricket in Hong Kong.
Terry Smith
HKCA President
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