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Louisville to Host Bhutanese Interstate Cricket Tournament July 11-13

Louisville to Host Bhutanese Interstate Cricket Tournament July 11-13
200 Bhutanese-born Cricketers from Across US Will Vie for Bragging Rights

Louisville, KY – July 7, 2014 – The Bhutanese Interstate Cricket Tournament 2014, featuring nine teams from across the United States and one local team, will be held July 11-13 at Cox’s Park near downtown Louisville. The three-day event will be a knockout format, where winning teams move on to the next round and losing teams are eliminated.

First round play will start at 7 a.m. July 11 and continue until dark. Quarterfinal and semi-final matches will take place July 12 starting at 7 a.m. The championship game will be held July 13 at 11 a.m.

The Bhutanese Society of Kentucky, founded in 2009 to preserve the community values and culture among the Bhutanese living in the Kentucky, will serve as host for the event.

“We are hosting the Bhutanese Interstate Cricket Tournament in Louisville to bring together the fun and glory of the game of cricket with the brotherhood of Bhutanese refugees who have resettled across the United States,” said Amrit Regmi, a member of tournament organizing committee and a Bhutanese cricketer who plays for the Louisville team. “The Bhutanese Society of Kentucky has organized local events in soccer, volleyball, table tennis and tennis. The Interstate Cricket Tournament is the first time our organization will host a tournament that features Bhutanese athletes, families and friends who will be visiting our city.”

Each team will be comprised of 15 to 20 players. Participating teams are from Pittsburgh; Nashville; Atlanta; Akron; Erie, PA; Rochester, NY; Richmond, VA; Fargo, ND; Harrisburg, PA; and Louisville. The teams also will feature Bhutanese players residing in Oregon, Washington, California, Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, Florida, Vermont, Michigan and several other states.

The matches will be played using standard cricket rules with some modifications based on field conditions and to ensure that the games and tournament are completed in the allotted time.

Last year the tournament was held in Pittsburgh where the Louisville cricketers finished runner up to a team from Erie, PA.

“The cricketing culture in Louisville is enhanced by the Bhutanese Tournament and along with the Mayor’s Cup Cricket tournament in August, we hope this puts Louisville on the map to host additional regional events,” said Suhas Kulharni, director, office of globalization for Louisville Metro Government.

“Louisville has more than 500 cricketers from more than 10 countries who not only enhance the international character of our city but also put us on an even playing field with other cities for attracting talented, energetic youth from countries that appreciate and enjoy the cricketing experience.”