TOURNAMENT FEEDBACK
Lighthouse Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2005
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Post-tournament reactions from Kenny Jackson
Congrats on a helluva fine event.
I have travelled to many sixes and other cricket events over the past 15 years and it is testimonial to your hard work that not in a million years could I have guessed that the Phuket Sixes was only in it’s 2nd year. Given the disastrous geographical and political events leading up to the event, it is even more mind blowing how you managed to keep everything under control. These are just some of the reasons for truly believing “a star is born!”
It is only a matter of time before you, as tournament directors, will have the unenviable task of having to turn teams away as you will have reached capacity. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Phuket as an Island has an offering that caters for nearly every whim; from beachgoers to party animals to scuba divers to family orientated moments and so the list goes on. Transfers are smooth, hotel staff bend over backwards to accommodate you, Thai food taste sensations at every turn, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg!!
- The tournament itself was a dream. It starts with the best tournament shirts at any event I have ever been to and climaxes with a smooth, professional Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom with more sumptuous dishes than my waistline cares to remember!! It really is pleasant strolling all of 50 (yes fifty!!) metres from the hotel to the groundÉ Thai mornings can be a little stressful! Commentary during the matches adds to the emphasis the tournament places on FRIENDSHIP and getting to know the various personalities. Maybe we can turn the music down a touch for the spoon division?!?!
- The 20/20 match played under lights — something few, if any, other events can boast. The lights were fantastic and I believe this event can become a real highlight of any sixes trip to Thailand!! The spin off of the from this is that the organisers now know they are in a position to offer evening matches to sides; or to play into the evening in the event of rain!! You find me another event that offers that!! ( I may be jumping the gun here, but imagine a sixes event that started around midday and ended at 9 or 10 pm?!?! Man!!!!!!!)
Whilst we are on about rain, I must mention my utter disbelief at the incredible dogged determination of the organisers and in particular Brad Tarr for getting through two of the days’ play after a night’s deluge and then run-off water flooding the ground. I like to think I’ve seen some waterlogged fields in my time and I gave us no chance of playing. Good thing the bookies weren’t open — I would have lost my pants. Sopping, mopping, you name it... and at 10h45 we had kick off!!! Unbelievable.
All the best
Kenny
Kenny Jackson
Kenny has played 1st class cricket in South Africa for 14 years for Western Province and Boland, and during the southern hemisphere winters played in the UK and Holland. He is currently player/coach for a Cape Town Premier League side, Almar Cricket Club. He’s done about eight years’ worth of six-a-side sorties to various parts of the world, but always gets to Thailand at least once a year!!
More Post-tournament Feedback
“Thank you very much for the work you put into organising HSBC sponsorship for the Phuket Cricket Sixes. We’re delighted the event went so well and that the event was such a success.”
HSBC Bank International Limited
“It was a fantastic four days at the Lighthouse Phuket Cricket Sixes. I was particularly impressed with the organisation. The cricket was of a high standard, while at the same time played in a great spirit. I thoroughly enjoyed it, met lots of new friends and really had a great time, thank you very much.”
Brian Jacks, corporate ambassador for Lighthouse International Property in Thailand
Brian Jacks is an ex-Judo Olympic medallist, British & European Champion and ‘Superstars’ champion. He achieved Olympic Bronze and was British Champion in 1972, and won European Gold in 1970/73. He was also British ‘Superstars’ Champion 1978/79 and European ‘Superstars’ Champion 1979/80.
“...the whole tournament was good, the 20/20 under lights went well and was an enjoyable experience for all that played. I enjoyed the tournament very much, all the functions were well done, the final night being extremely good.”
Trevor Chappell, ex-Australian Test cricketer
“Let me congratulate you and your entire team for a stupendous and fabulous job done in organising a PERFECT TOURNAMENT in Phuket. CONGRATULATIONS to you for putting up such a great show, a show with no hiccups and glitches. It was for the first time I have participated in any form of Sixes cricket outside India, and I should say that it was the most exhilarating time I had in my life (till now of course).
I should say that, you need to be applauded for what you have conceived — that is to ensure that everyone you had come to participate in the tournament had a time of their life, be it the tournament itself, the hotels, the service at the hotel or the lovely gathering at The Green Man Pub. HATS OF TO YOU and your team for making us feel ‘Out of the World’ and also being such a great host.
I also found that you ensured all the teams and members who had come there to participate were not made to feel aloof, lonely or unwanted. You had time for all of us. To come and have a conversation and to know first hand from us whether we are enjoying, or if our rooms were ok, etc. The same goes to all your team and the organizers.
Having participated in the tournament this year, I have no doubt in my mind that I’M THERE NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER AND...
Raj Oja
It is worth mentioning that the matches were played at the right spirits, which is to ‘PLAY THE GAME FOR FUN.’ ( Well almost all of them, except us, ha...). Yes, the tournament became much more competitive towards the finals, and why not. Once the teams, who had fun initially during the group matches, also wanted to WIN the CUP. So I guess a bit of competitiveness was well expected.
The hotels were absolutely great. We stayed at the Karon Sea Sand Resort. The rooms were big, great bathroom, the swimming pool, and of course the staff were more then helpful...” Raj Oja, Gauhati Town Cricket Club (India)
“On behalf of the Phuket International Hospital I would like to thank you all for organising an outstanding event. We look forward to the 2006 event and you can be assured of our continuing support.”
Peter Davison, Manager International Services, Phuket International Hospital
“I just wanted to say a big thank you for the experience we had in Phuket last week. We all had a ball. Coming back having made a final was something we didn’t expect. Coming back with medals for coming 2nd was a surprise too!! Keep us informed of any upcoming games that may interest us.”
Graham Witt, Kudu Bar Cavalry (Malaysia)
“If someone would care to tell me where I was from Thurs to Sun, I would love to get some feedback!!!!”
Geoff Nothard, Kudu Bar Cavalry (Malaysia)
“Beer too cheap — that’s why we lost...”
Iain Cockin, Kudu Bar Cavalry (Malaysia)
“Many thanks again to you and the rest of the crew. The Kudu Bar team and supporters all enjoyed ourselves immensely... and can’t wait for the next tournament!!”
Matthew Nicholson, Kudu Bar Cavalry (Malaysia)
“...a very big ‘thank you’ for a thoroughly enjoyable week in Phuket. It was definitely the most fun I have had in years!! Nok (my wife) and little Nikita also say thanks as they had a ball too!!”
Dave Nightingale, Kudu Bar Cavalry (Malaysia)
“...everyone had a great time at the event so well done... Everyone in our team will certainly be back next year for more!”
Mark ‘Scarfy’ Whetton, Secretary, Phuket Cricket Union
“Once again we had ‘fun in the sun’ (even if a few of the guys had better fun at night). On behalf of Raj and the rest of the guys thank you for a great week of fun. We are already counting down for next year (if we are invited back)”
Mark Molinari, Blythswood CC and Singh Sabha Barking FC (UK)
“On behalf of Blythswood CC and Singh Sabha Barking FC, I would like to thank you all for inviting us back to participate in the 2005 Phuket International Sixes Tournament. We thought it would be hard to beat the experiences and fun had by all of us in 2004, but thanks to your wonderful efforts, this was achieved with great success and we eagerly look forward to next year’s event.”
Raj Boparai, Blythswood CC and Singh Sabha Barking FC (UK)
“Indeed it’s been a very nice experience me and my team had in Phuket. We got to meet a lot of good people, and got to play good cricket and that’s what we were thinking of. The hotel was great and everyone there was very sweet. We had never thought of winning, so winning at the end was icing on the cake. Hope to c ya in other Sixes if possible but surely in Phuket again.”
Haroon Qazi (Captain), Corner Tigers (Pakistan)
“This year’s tournament was a huge success and shows how determination and hard work can shine through in the end. A huge thankyou to all the organisers, players and sponsors. This Tournament can only move forward from here, as the venue and atmosphere is alive and vibrant.”
Ian “Reds” Liddell (Cricket Fanatic)
“The Lamma team thought it was an excellent tour and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thanks to this, I know that as soon as we mention another tour, they will be the first to put their hands up. I thought the organisation was excellent and the apparent smoothness of the tournament (from my point of view!) was down to your work. Of course I know about a lot of the very hard effort that goes into making a tournament like this a success with Brad, Mark, Kim and Kevin in our Club. But especially to you ACST guys, very well done.”
Ian “Chucker” Harling — Lamma Cricket Club Tour Captain
