These major events will spearhead efforts to increase the popularity and profile of cricket in Hong Kong, but Shroff said the city needed better grounds and training facilities to compete with international competitors and that the governing body needed “government support and a major sponsor” to realise its ambitions of winning sixes.
“after that, [global governing body] “We will contact the ICC and request a date, usually in October or November,” Shroff said. “If we hold the blitz a few days in advance, it will give us a wider window of quality cricket.”
Shroff said the Six Open has historically featured some of the sport's best players and has been “considered to be one of the premier tournaments in the world”, and he hopes to regain that status.
But without facilities of international standard, Shroff believes Hong Kong risks being “left behind”.
The only venue in the city capable of hosting international cricket matches is the Tian Kuang Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon, but this is still inadequate for the demands of modern cricket.
It doesn't help that the Hong Kong Cricket Association (CHK) has limited access to venues that are under the control of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
“The current facilities at Mission Road and the time allotted are not enough to remain competitive in international cricket,” Shroff said. “Some of the Asian countries that we used to beat comfortably are now at the same level as us or a little above us. They have more stadiums, government subsidies and professional players.”
Shroff said Hong Kong's limited use of the small grounds, which resulted in little competitive action, had contributed to the team dropping out of the top 20 in the world T20 rankings.
“Playing as much as possible is key to success in any sport and the more you play, the better you will see results,” Shroff said. “For that, we need government support.”
An extensive search was underway for space to develop a second international arena in Hong Kong, but plans for a development in Ma On Shan “fell through.”
Shroff said he was hopeful a venue would be found but acknowledged that “space is at a premium in Hong Kong and developing a ground for international cricket is a big responsibility.”
“Again, we need government support and sponsorship,” he added. “What we're looking for is something very unique. We need a wicket, a good outfield and good drainage facilities.”
Among the goals articulated in CHK's 2018-2023 strategic plan, drawn up before Shroff's term began in 2022, was the desire to “make cricket accessible to all who want to play”.
“We teach in schools and colleges. When you're younger you can play on artificial turf grounds,” Shroff says. “We want people to know about the sport and get interested in it. Again, as the sport grows, we need more facilities and funding.”
