It's amazing – 20 years and we are still going strong. It's many thanks and welcome back to you the Teams, Cricketers, International Stars and Guests of the 20th holding of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes and 8th Sixes Sawasdee Cricket Competition. It's all of you who have made this tournament as special as it is to-day - Thank you. It is my special privilege to welcome you all to this friendship festival and it is my sincere hope that your week in Chiang Mai will enrich your lives and once again you will renew old acquaintances and develop new friendships .

Thankfully no floods last year, though it got pretty close on occasions. A new improvement has been underground drainage installed throughout the field. Thanks to Eric Little and his team once again. You will note that three of our old turf pitches have been resurrected. Though we will not be using them in the Sixes we are happy to report that the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club cricket facilities are now of acceptable international standard and have already been used for an under 15 Asian Cricket Council international competition and future events are on the calendar. No small thanks for this must go to Peter and Anne Dawson who donated the electronically controlled scoreboard numbers. Thank you Anne & Peter. Good news from the junior cricket - the Chiang Mai Cricket Foundation is now a legally registered entity, so all donations made are tax deductible. We have a new Committee room where the Viking and Mike McCune can keep themselves cool and dust free. Special request from Viking - people going past please keep him, supplied with ice cream, or gin and tonic depending on the time of day.

New committee member, Ray Matti, who will take over running the Sixes next year, has found us two major tournament sponsors. The Chiang Mai Mail, through their owner, Peter Malhotra, and parent company, The Pattaya Mail, together with ESC, the security and information specialists, have agreed to join the Chiang Mai Sixes family. I happily welcome them and hope their association with this event is long and fruitful for all. The Boundary bar will be known as the Official Trustee / Gold Express Bar this year. Thanks to Cat. As usual special thanks to the sponsors who have been so supportive for so many years : TAT, who help supply the booze for the Welcome Cocktails. Trevor Jones and STEC, who for now the 20th year of this event have supplied and cooked the wonderful pigs for the Pig Picking Night. The Chiengmai Gymkhana Club and club committee, for annually allowing us to disrupt the club members' golf.  Bon Café supplying their coffee and machine for the tournament.  NFP, Royal Indian, Rose Garden our official caterers. Equally a special thanks to our magazine and banner advertisers who once again have given us their invaluable support. We hope all cricketers and teams will support you during our week. – thank you all.

Once again last but not least, my committee, who as always are the tournament's backbone.  Viking – Rick Davis, our World Coordinator, who after missing (and we did miss him) a year last year is back with us. Ray Matti our new member, who though living in Pattaya, has already made his presence felt. David Walker our new magazine editor taking over from Geoff Thompson who has decided to spend a year or two in Scotland earning another degree. I think this was mainly to fulfill his annual threat of abandoning this ship. Peter Dawson who now will spend his time ensuring his new scoreboard is working up to scratch as well as acting as auditor straightening out Renita's books. Anne Dawson, chief scorer, who we hope will not be trying to bake herself this year. No matter, as a dedicated and selfless scorer, she is second to none. Mike McCune, our cricketing American who, with Viking, should have better conditions to work in and operate his electronic gadgets. Though with Mike, like all our Committee, he helps to help others. Eric Little very disappointed he didn't have any floods this year but regardless he is always looking for ways to improve the field and conditions for the cricketers. Both Mike and Eric helped David with the magazine. Awn, the sexiest bar tender in town, who also makes certain our bar is always running smoothly. Long may she remain with us. Terry, though set back with medical problems, this year, is still very active contributor.  Miss "Ducky" Jenny is once again collecting duck fines and selling raffle tickets for the benefit of the Sixes and juniors. A new duty this year will be to collect fines off any players who forget their numbered vests for their matches. All for the juniors.  Co-ordinator, Ian Liddell, who does a great job arranging announcers/ commentators. Tony Gough, the big chief umpire, once again just getting on and organizing his team. My dear wife, Renita, who still does all the work I am meant to do.  Our three adjudicators Dasher, Hagar and Jenny who will help Rick select the individual prizes. Thank you one and all.  If I have forgotten anyone (my usual trick), please forgive me.  Without the team behind the scenes, there wouldn't be a Chiang Mai Sixes.

Renita and I step down this year. We feel 17 years is long enough and it's time for new young blood. We are sure Ray is going to do a wonderful job and our tournament will only grow and get better. A heartfelt thanks to everyone of this incredible Chiang Mai Sixes. We have been privileged to make some wonderful friendships and you have made us feel very special so we take with us many wonderful memories. God Bless you all.

Maurice Bromley – Tournament Director