Cricket week gets underway in Phuket

PHUKET  Phuket, Thailand top resort island is once more at ‘sixes and 7s’ with the 4th Annual Kata International Cricket 7s that started, Wednesday at the Republic Phuket sports ground.
With the first ball bowled yesterday in the International Cricket 7s, Kata Group Resorts Thailand President, Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, a major sponsor of Phuket International Cricket Week for the fourth consecutive year, said there was plenty of action yet to come for fans of the game’s shortest form.
Beyond the ‘fun in the sun’ slogan, Phuket International Cricket Week has raised over THB500,000 for junior cricket in Phuket in the past four years, and every year pumps an estimated THB14 million into the Phuket economy.
Pramookpisitt said it was heartening to see a team of Phuket junior players competing in the 7s, as they were evidence of the ‘giving back’ aspect of Cricket Week in action.
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Phuket International Cricket Week 2015: Kata Beach Resort General Manager Andrew A. Sawatdipakdi (third left) welcomes Asian Cricket Sixes Tour Chairman Michael Maher (second right) and youth cricket development ambassador Anongnart Ningnoi (third right) along with other players on the eve of the International Cricket 7s tournament starting today in Phuket.
The hotel owner is a leading light in promoting sports tourism on Phuket, has thrown the resources of his hospitality group behind the cricket double-header as the main sponsor of International Cricket Week, which comprises the Phuket International Cricket Sixes Tournament (16 to 19 April) and Kata International Cricket 7s Tournament (22 to 24 April), as well as a less formal beach cricket competition.
Kata Group Resort Thailand is also title sponsor of the annual Kings Cup Regatta sailing event in December.
A total of 24 cricket teams are taking part in the two tournaments this year, with teams from Australia, Bangkok, Bangladesh, Dubai, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Pakistan, Phuket and Pakistan.
The event is being held at the recently rebuilt Republic Phuket sports ground in Chalong district, also home to Phuket Football Club.
An estimated 600 people attended the Sixes over the three days of competition, with more expected to gather to watch the 7s.
“It is my hope that Phuket International Cricket Week continues to grow from strength to strength, winning hearts and minds, providing great entertainment and a welcome boost to Phuket’s economy,” he said. “Cricket is a world-renowned sport and we are honoured to again play host.”
Phuket International Cricket Week 2015 sees the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour (ACST) chalk up 40 tournaments since its foundation in 2000, continuing on its mission to foster ‘Friendship Through Cricket’.
Kata Beach Resort & Spa, host venue of the event, is offering a special Thai Residents package from now until 30 June, with rates starting at THB5,699 a night. The package includes a set dinner for two persons, American Breakfast for two, welcome drink and fruit basket on arrival.

sourced:ttrweekly.com