Cricket to feature in 2010 Thailand Youth Games

The future of cricket in Thailand has never looked stronger with its inclusion in the Thailand Youth Games (Makhamwan Games). Cricket joins the 30 other sporting disciplines in the March 2010 edition of the games in Vithyanukulnaree, in Petchabun province in north Thailand.

Cricket Association of Thailand (CAT) has been integral in the game's inclusion in the ASEAN University Games and now with the Thailand Youth Games, the development of cricket in the country has taken a huge step forward.

Petchabun will represent a new territory for cricket's growth in Thailand. With Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Lopburi, and Phuket having established cricket bases, Petchabun will similarly do so as it is mandatory for the host province to field a team for all of the disciplines in the Youth Games.

National Coach and CAT Chief Executive Mohideen Kader said on the ACC Website: "CAT offered its help to the Sports Authority of Thailand by proposing to prepare the pitches and provide the officials for the event.

"With more provinces sure to take up the sport, the number of established grounds and players will also increase. The Thailand Youth Games will also help increase the number of playing facilities, as new grounds are established each time the games go to a new province. "

"With our inclusion into the Thailand Youth Games, the sport will now get more local media coverage as well. This has been something we've been hoping for a long time," added Mr. Kader.