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Paul McNamara

Hong Kong cricket chief Burji Shroff has expressed his confidence over the integrity of the sport in the city.
In 2019, three Hong Kong players, Irfan and Nadeem Ahmed, and Haseeb Amjad, were found guilty of match-fixing. The Ahmed brothers were banned for life, while seam bowler Amjad received a five-year suspension.
The city team’s matches, along with games from five domestic competitions, provide betting opportunities for large audiences watching on live streams. Next week, Hong Kong will contest a home quadrangular T20 series with Kuwait, Qatar and Nepal.
Shroff, who became chairman of Cricket Hong Kong, China (CHKC) in 2022 and was this week reappointed for another one-year term, said CHKC was “very cognisant that we need to be very tight on gambling”.
Board member Irene Wang is an officer for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), while influential former director Anoop Gidwani is an ex-ICAC officer.
“Before every [men’s, women’s and age-group] tournament, the director in charge of governance and compliance talks to the team,” Shroff said.

“They are told to be cautious about talking to strangers. They have a responsibility to report any incident, or possible incident, to the captain, coach and manager. Their position in the team depends on it.
“Our board has a lot of integrity, and experience in governance. Any past cases were dealt with very severely, so people realise there will be huge repercussions if they step over the line.”
The anti-corruption code of the International Cricket Council (ICC) insists on a cordoned-off players and match officials area (PMOA), where mobile devices are not allowed, for every game.
Shroff said his organisation was praised by the ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for its security during February’s Hong Kong-staged Challenge League, which featured six international teams.
“We received compliments for how diligent we have been over the past few years to prevent or minimise gambling,” Shroff said. “ICC and ACC sent three people to help monitor [anti-corruption arrangements], and we came out with flying colours.”
Shroff said local matches were treated with the same seriousness as their international counterparts.
“The PMOAs are very well controlled – we make sure no one can trespass or talk to players, and that no people of ill repute are coming to grounds to try to solicit gambling,” he said.
“We are very cautious and I’m confident [the game in Hong Kong is clean].”
Asked where Hong Kong cricket had made the biggest strides during his tenure, Shroff highlighted last year’s successful Hong Kong Sixes relaunch. He also pointed to the men’s team contesting 12 international tournaments over the past 12 months, a 71 per cent year-on-year increase.

In 2023, Hong Kong appointed their first women’s head coach, Andy Cottam, who was succeeded last year by Najeeb Amar, while the team played six overseas tournaments in 2024-25.
The Sixes, which was awarded “M” Mark status by the city’s Major Sports Events Committee, has already been confirmed to return this year, and Shroff reiterated his intention to “take it to another level”.
“I am grateful to the Hong Kong government for their ongoing support – now we want better players and better teams so it’s more competitive and entertaining,” Shroff said.
“And this is sponsorship-dependent, but we want more of a carnival atmosphere: more TV screens, music and entertainment.
“We’ve had lots of world-class players come again and again, which shows the calibre of the Sixes.”
Shroff said discussions had started over potentially reviving the T20 Blitz, a T20 competition that was staged in the city from 2016 to 2018. He would like it to come back this year, around the same time as the Sixes, which will happen from October 31 to November 2.
“We will do it if it’s possible, but there’s no confirmation yet,” Shroff said.


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Hong Kong cricket chief warns city needs facilities, funding to be competitive

Cricket Hong Kong

Hong Kong cricket chairman ‘confident’ sport in city is free of match-fixing

Hong Kong (in red) will next week face Nepal again in a T20 quadrangular, along with Kuwait and Qatar. Photo: May Tse

Chairman Burji Shroff said CHKC had been praised for its diligence against gambling. Photo: CHKC

Shroff wants to take the Hong Kong Sixes, won last year by Sri Lanka, “to another level”. Photo: Elson Li

Manchester United coming to Hong Kong as city stages another football coup

Bruno Fernandes celebrates a goal in Manchester United’s recent 3-0 win at Leicester City. Photo: Reuters

Ruben Amorim is struggling to turn around United’s form, although they remain in the Europa League. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong Stadium is set to host Manchester United in late May. Photo: Eugene Lee

China stint means Miller ineligible to represent Canada at worlds, Ice Hockey bosses say

Hannah Miller will not be allowed to play for Canada at the World Championships. Photo: AP

Sport

Game’s local governing body ‘very cognisant’ of need to be watchful of gambling with the many events being played, and more being planned


Game’s local governing body ‘very cognisant’ of need to be watchful of gambling with the many events being played, and more being planned.


ICC (International Cricket Council)