BRIEFS
64 THE MYANMAR TIMES JULY 8- 14, 2013
Sport
Cricket officials dream of‘ golden days’ ahead
aungsiheinmm8 @ gmail. com
AUNG SI HEIN
THE Myanmar Cricket Federation is hoping that efforts to expose more people to the game will give the sport a much needed boost and keep it from falling further behind other nations in the region.
“ We don’ t want to be left behind while our neighbouring countries... are doing well at cricket. We are striving to reach the golden days of Myanmar cricket,” national coach Michael Kyaw Min told The Myanmar Times following a tournament in late June.
The Cricket World Cup enjoys the third-largest global television audience after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup according to the Wisden Cricket Almanac, but the sport has seen very limited popularity in Myanmar where football and traditional sports like chinlone remain favourtes. While cricket has failed to gain widespread support domestically, in other countries in the region, particularly India and Bangladesh, the sport is wildly popularity.
Cricket was brought to Myanmar by the British during colonial rule. London newspapers carried stories of the sport being played in upper Myanmar as early as 1888 but hopes for it’ s growth were dashed by anti-colonial sentiment and backlash.
The Myanmar Cricket Federation was established in 2005 to oversee the sport domestically. The federation organises a six-team league and tournaments every winter.
The national team has taken part in three ACC Trophy Challenge tournaments but with disappointing results.
Despite poor performance in these international events, the Myanmar team was regonised this year for their sportsmanship and three
Myanmar nationals received individual awards.
Michael Kyaw Min said that, like many other sports in Myanmar, cricket lacks the infrastructure and support it needs to expand.
“ We need covered courts to play cricket games and right now we don’ t have a sufficient number of covered courts,” Michael Kyaw Min said.
“ We can’ t play cricket in the heavy rain, so we the only option we are left with is to wait for the winter season when there is no more rain. We also don’ t have enough equipment.”
Despite the constraints, the President of The Myanmar Cricket Federation, Than Win, said that he has found that people in Myanmar are intrigued by the sport and he has seen enthusiastic crowds when demonstrations are held.
“ Wherever we go and play cricket people like it. They are never bored or walk away. Instead they are interested and ask more about
Members of the Myanmar nationa cricket team practice in Yangon on July 4.
Photo: Boothee
SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin | timothy. mclaughlin3 @ gmail. com
the sport,” he said.
Than Win said an outreach program started by the Cricket Federation in Sagaing Region near the border with Chin State has been very well received. Given the success the federation is looking to launch similar programs in other areas and is hoping that a states and regions tournament could soon become a reality.
The federation is also focusing on youth development and bringing female players to the sport.
In Yangon a program started in 2006 to introduce students to cricket in six schools has expanded to 20.
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SPORT 62
BRIEFS
Yangon National weightlifting competition to start July 20 The Myanmar Weightlifting Federation is hosting the annual Federation Chairman Cup from July 20 to 22 at Aung San Indoor Stadium in Yangon, an official said.
The competition will include an under-17 free-weight event for men and women, as well as eight weight classes from 50kg to 95kg for men, and seven weight classes from 44-69kg for women. Participants have been training at regional stadiums in anticipation of the event since the beginning of the year, said U Myint Swe, the federation’ s general secretary. – Kyaw Zin Hlaing
Yangon Professional Wrestling Comes to Myanmar Cable provider SkyNet announced a new three-year television distribution agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment on July 2 to broadcast WWE’ s weekly television programming in Myanmar.
Beginning in July, SkyNet DTH will broadcast Monday Night Raw, Smack-
Down, WWE Main Event and WWE NXT on the SkyNet Sports 3 and SkyNet Teen channels.
“ Joining WWE to bring their worldclass entertainment to the people of Myanmar is a significant addition to our expanding portfolio,” said Win Naing, executive general manager of SkyNet TV.“ We look forward to an ongoing partnership with WWE as we help to continue awareness and viewership of this global brand in South East Asia.”
– Tim McLaughlin
Boston Celtics opt for youth in naming Stevens coach The rebuilding Boston Celtics on July 3 named Brad Stevens as head coach, hoping his success at the helm at Butler University will translate to the NBA.
The 36-year-old Stevens spent the last six seasons as the head coach at Butler University and led the Bulldogs to the National Championship game in 2010 and 2011. His Butler teams never won fewer than 22 games in a season as he kept the university that boasts a total enrollment of just 4500 contending in the fiercely competitive world of US collegiate basketball. – AFP