The Hong Kong Sixes will be back, but fans "will have to wait until next year before the popular tournament returns to the local calendar after four years in the wilderness," according to Nazvi Careem of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The Hong Kong Cricket Association announced on Wednesday that the tournament will be held in '17, "although there was no mention of whether or not the government’s Mega Events Fund was to help finance the event." The HKCA later said that it was "looking at concluding a deal with a major sponsor in order to ensure the long-term future of the event." The return of the Sixes is "part of the association’s new four-year strategic plan that also involves a comprehensive rebranding of the body." HKCA Chair Mike Walsh said, "The last 18 months has been a transformational period for Hong Kong cricket's development. We have now had our first ever chief executive officer in place for over a year, and we will shortly release a new four-year strategic plan, which includes an exciting new brand for the sport in Hong Kong." The return of the Sixes means Hong Kong "will stage two big international tournaments" in '17 with the second T20 Blitz slated for early next year. The dates and venue for the Sixes "have yet to be finalised" (SCMP, 8/17).
