Hong Kong Cricket Association is delighted to announce that three new cricket grounds will be available in the Gin Drinkers Bay in Kwai Chung.

HKCA President Rodney Miles signed the lease of the 4.48-hectares land with the Environmental Protection Department today.

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 of cricket fields in recent years, the Hong Kong team has risen to all-time high world rankings, consecutive World Twenty20 qualification and is well-established 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. The Police’s 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.

香港板球總會宣布，將於葵涌醉酒灣開設三個全新草地板球場。

本會會長文禮士（Rodney Miles）今日與環境保護署簽署合約，開始租用該面積約4.48公頃的用地。

香港板球總會行政總裁葛添（Tim Cutler）對新的設施感到非常興奮：「這幾個新的板球場將會用作舉辦學校及社區板球活動，以及於周末舉行本地青年、女子及男子組別板球聯賽賽事。」

雖然香港近年損失了不少板球場地，但是香港板球隊仍然取得歷來最高的世界排名、連續兩屆晉級「20回合制世界板球賽，並成為香港其中一支世界排名最高的體育隊伍。

葛添補充道：「這幾個新球場雖然不是國際賽水平的場地，但能夠舒緩本地板球賽事及發展計劃的場地需求，對推廣板球非常重要。」

「本會感謝各個支持這個計劃的政府部門。我們尤其感謝葵青區議會的支持，以及本會教練及行政人員在該區的努力。」

「除了本會之外，其他團體亦會受惠於這個新場地，利用板球作為工具，推動正面的社會改變，例如香港警務處的奮進行動及高峰計劃，以及香港聖公會麥理浩夫人中心少數族裔服務。我們希望繼續與這些組織緊密合作。」

球場的工程將於短期內開展，有望於2016－17年球季前正式啟用。