JULIAN TURNER

The SBSL Cricketeers from Bangladesh _ the 19th Chiang Mai Sixes Cup champions.

Chiang Mai _ One of the most encouraging signs at last week's Chiang Mai Sixes tournament was the emergence of several young Thai players. The skills on show from the local competitors was a fitting tribute to all the hard work that has been put in by the tournament organisers to build up junior cricket in the region.

Unfortunately cricket is seldom on the menu for Thailand's future generation, unless they are lucky enough to live near this dedicated bunch of ex-pat enthusiasts.

Director Maurice Bromley is the driving force behind the Sixes, which celebrated its 19th year in style last week at the scenic Gymkhana ground.

All those who attended the week-long tournament were left in no doubt of the passion behind this popular event and of the commitment to offer the sport to young Thai players.

Bromley cuts an impressive figure at the helm of the ship but he is ably assisted by many others, including wife Renita.

The Chiang Mai Fossils team, including Post sports editor Roger Crutchley (bottom right).	Baan Sai Moon school from Hang Dong celebrate their Sawasdee Cup Grade 6 triumph over Chol Prathan Phataek school from Doi Saket. Baan Sai Moon were the defending champions.	Eric Little shows off his new haircut.	Maurice Bromley (left) hands the Cup trophy to Cricketeers captain Kahled Mahmud. — PHOTOS COURTESY OF GEOFF THOMPSON

Eric Little is the coaching co-ordinator for the junior cricket program and he enjoyed a rather amazing Sixes this year.

Little not only played a key role in getting the cricket ground restored after last year's floods but he single-handedly raised 30,000 baht for the junior cricket program by having a sponsored mohican hairstyle last week.

That amount equals more than half the tiny annual funding promised by the Asian Cricket Council, the body charged with developing cricket in the Asia region.

Geoff Thompson publicised the event and oversaw the production of a superb tournament programme while Mike McCune developed and directed the www.chiangmaisixes.com website, which offered live free audio commentary and video throughout the competition.

Rick Davis, Tony Gough, Peter Dawson, Awn Phattamaporn, Anne Dawson, Barbara McHerron, Jenny Morgan, Reds Liddell, Dave Walker and Kajorndej Tat also deserve honourable mentions for their selfless input.

The hard work will soon begin to make the 20th Chiang Mai Sixes even better than the last, which will be no easy task.

This certainly has become an institution that has become an integral part of the Chiang Mai landscape.