The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) announced today, after HKCA President Rodney Miles signed a long term lease with the Environmental Protection Department, that three new cricket pitches will be built on 4.48-hectares of land at Gin Drinkers Bay in Kwai Chung.
HKCA CEO Tim Cutler is excited about what the new grounds can offer: “The new facility will create further opportunities to promote the sport’s growth by hosting school and community programmes during the week to league matches across junior, women’s and men’s cricket on the weekend.”
Despite the loss of cricket fields in recent years, the Hong Kong team has appeared in consecutive World Twenty20 tournaments and risen to an all-time high world ranking – establishing the Dragons as one of Hong Kong’s highest ranked major sports team.
“Whilst this is no means an elite facility with respect to allowing Hong Kong to host international fixtures, it is a key acquisition to release pressure on our development programmes and recreational leagues.” Cutler stated. “We thank the various government departments who have supported us in this project. Our special recognition goes to the Kwai Tsing District Council who gave us the all-important local approval and this is vindication of the superb work being done by our coaches and cricket officers in the area. In addition to the HKCA, there are other organisations who operate amazing programmes in our community using cricket as a tool for positive social change. Operations Breakthrough, Go Front, and the HKSKH Lady MacLehose Centre Services for Ethnic Minorities are three great examples, and we look forward to working closer still with these groups in their efforts.”
Construction will take place soon, with the view of having the grounds available for use at the start of 2016-17 season.
source: HK Cricket Association