KUANTAN: The country's longest-running six-a-side cricket tournament - the Kuantan CA International Sixes - an annual cricket meet will be held at the Kemunting field here tomorrow.
The two-day tournament, which is a year shy of its 50th edition next year, has attracted 12 teams this time around.
In the past, the tournament had attracted teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Australia, England along with Asian cricket powerhouses Sri Lanka and India.
The "cricket carnival" which made its debut in 1969 is organised by the Pahang Ceylon Association CA and over the last few years the Pahang Cricket Association and the Malaysian Cricket Association join forces to provide support.
CA president V. Gunendran described the event as going from strength to strength over the years and this year and this year he expects no difference.
"When the inaugural tournament was held, it was aimed to forge closer ties among the community after the riots in 1969. It now plays a vital role to keep the bat-and-ball game alive along while at the same time helping to promote various tourist attractions here.
"Initially only local teams participated but now it attracts quite a number of established clubs. The cricketers just kept coming back every year and this event really caught on, and is now one of the longest-running six-a-side tournaments in the world," he said.
Gunendran said the Kuantan CA International Sixes was certified by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2009 for successfully organising the longest-running cricket sixes competition in the country.
"We are aiming for a recognition from Guinness World Records when the tournament enters its 50th edition in 2019.
“The Golden Jubilee Anniversary next year will be extra special with more teams, with an increase in prize money up for grabs as well as a gala dinner." he said.
Meanwhile Gunendran said another highlight of the event is during teatime when kolukattai, a sweet Indian delicacy made of rice flour and green peas that will be served for all.
He said the event was even dubbed Kuantan kolukattai cricket because of the extremely popular sweet homemade delicacy which was in high demand.
This years' edition offers RM10,000 in total as prize money alongside four individual awards including for the best batsman and best bowler.
The event which ends on Sunday at the Kuantan Municipal Field 4(Kemunting field) here will begin at 8.30am on both days and is open to the public.
Professional Sri Lankan test cricketer Ajantha Mendis is among the notable names who have participated in the tournament which began as the Elagupillai trophy in 1969 and since 1994, it has been known as the Kuantan CA International Cricket Sixes.