The 15th annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes is due to be held over six days from April 1-6, at the Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club. The Afghanistan Federation were invited to send a team, and through their General Manager, Mr. Daud Khan, they have answered in the affirmative. "As the essence of our Chiang Mai tournament is friendship", Bromley explains, "the committee felt we should be extending our hand of friendship to these Afghan cricketers, to bring them back into the international sporting arena, and give a boost to the sport in Afghanistan. It is very exciting that they feel able to come to Chiang Mai, although clearly we still need administrative and financial help to get them here."

Cricket was one of the few sports sanctioned by the Taliban, previous rulers of Afghanistan, and as a welcome outlet for youthful energy and competition, the sport had begun to take root. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (AFC) was founded in 1995. Before the current war began, there were 28 registered clubs in the country, with perhaps around 900 players in total. Many of these were around the eastern town of Khost, near the border with Pakistan, but also in Kabul, Kandahar and elswhere. Playing pretty much all year round on a variety of concrete, matting and grass pitches, the AFC had begun leagues from primary school (AFC Playground League), up to a senior 50-Over league. The AFC, like the Thailand Cricket League, is an Affiliate-Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In gratefully accepting the Chiang Mai invitation to enter an 8-member amateur team for the Sixes tournament, Mr. Daud Khan responded "We have played some cricket as a messenger of peace during the US bombing on Afghanistan (On the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board , in Quaid-e-Azam at a Grade II tournament) But as you know, due to the problems in our country we do not have funds to play outside the country. However we have a very talented team. Therefore we must ask if you can help sponsor us - Chiang Mai would be the first tournament to help us (since the bombing). Surely it would be a great help for Afghan youth."

The 15th Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes & 3rd Sixes Junior Cup, is a non-profit event organised for the past fifteen years by local and overseas volunteers, and with cooperation from the Thailand Tourism Authority's Chiang Mai office. This year's event from April 1-6, is expected to be the biggest ever, with 30 teams from 11 countries scheduled to compete in the Sixes itself, and up to 20 local schools playing in the Junior Cup competition.

• For further information please contact Tournament director, Maurice Bromley maurice@loxinfo.co.th or Tournament publicity manager Geoff Thompson, adskills@loxinfo.co.th