Cricket 6s to launch in Cape Town

Nabeal Dien, CEO of WPCA said: "Cricket runs in the veins of our country. We are delighted that the Cape Town Sixes Festival is hosting this inaugural, inspiring event for the people of Cape Town and the visiting teams from around the world so that they can be immersed in the joy and craft of the sport over these three days. This kind of focus on the playing and the support of non-professional levels of the sport is vital to the development of the game."

The festival takes place on 19 and 20 March at the Green Point Cricket Club and enables cricket enthusiasts, club players and developmental teams to come together across eight cricket leagues that range from the highly competitive premier teams to the more laid-back lager and social leagues. There is a league for corporates wanting an ideal team-building experience at a high profile event, as well as a mixed league and the Old Boys Cup.

Most importantly, there is a development league and funds raised from the corporate team entries will go towards the event participation fees for the development teams. The development league is about giving those teams that might not have an opportunity the chance to play on the big stage. Teams are selected from feeder tournaments in under-privileged areas across the Western Cape. This is part of the 'Hit Poverty for a Six' campaign and over and above sponsoring developmental teams for the tournament, money from the corporate league will go towards a cricket clinic.

To enter

All the leagues can accommodate eight teams with eight players per team and two reserves. Competitors will play six overs per side. Each team is guaranteed four matches in their league, with semi-finals and the finals to follow. Teams from South Africa and abroad can enter at www.capetownsixesfestival.com

The Cape Town Sixes Festival will showcase the City's famous flair for fun, entertainment and community spirit with a Food of Nations Village featuring cuisine from the world's great cricketing countries, a 'Bigger Than Me' precinct that highlights social development projects that are improving quality of life in Cape Town and a safe, friendly kids and family zone.

"Cape Town Tourism recognises the role events play in encouraging locals and visitors to explore their the city," comments Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy. "The buzz around the Cape Town Sixes event is going to be fantastic, it's a sporting and cultural event in one, with plenty of musical offerings and tasty foods, as well as family-friendly fun for kids. As a tourism body, we're also applauding the event's efforts at social development which level the playing fields for all Capetonians to enjoy healthy leisure activities."

With the event expected to attract many visitors to the city both from abroad and domestically, Protea Hotels has partnered the organisers.

"We anticipate seeing a stream of additional travellers coming to Cape Town beyond the usual numbers for this time of year, and so an accommodation partner with sufficient capacity in sought-after venues close to the location of the event is crucial," explained Nicholas Barenblatt, group marketing manager of Protea Hotels.

The two-day festival will end on a high note with a music concert on the Sunday featuring South Africa legends Mango Groove with Jimmy Nevis, The Kiffness, Rory Eliot and more.