LAUDERHILL – Julius Schneider, honorary president of Cricket Council U.S.A., welcomed over 300 guests to the official Kickoff Ceremony for the MAQ T20 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET TOURNAMENT ’08 at the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium on Friday, February 29.
Mahammad A. Qureshi, Chairman and C.E.O. of Cricket Council U.S.A. and pioneer of 20/20 cricket in the U.S.A., announced that this was a night of “FIRSTS”, as the event will be the first-ever international 20/20 cricket tournament in the U.S.A. at the first-ever cricket stadium in the U.S.A. Mr. Qureshi proclaimed that this is another major step to bringing the Cricket World Cup home to the United States.
Joining the local and worldwide press corps were mayors, government dignitaries, and prominent business men and women. A number of cricket legends, including the famous Lawrence Row, one of the greatest cricketers from the West Indies, were also in attendance. All of these prominent individuals strongly endorsed Cricket Council U.S.A. for helping the growth of cricket in the U.S.A.
The traditional “Strawberries, Cream and Champagne” were followed by a very informative multi-media video presentation of cricket’s American journey as a front-runner to baseball from the colonial times to today’s fast paced 20/20 cricket format.
Speaking on the occasion, Broward County Commissioner Joe Egelletion, Jr. thanked Mr. Qureshi for having the foresight and fortitude to bring 20/20 international cricket to South Florida. Richard Kaplan, Mayor of the City of Lauderhill, detailed the city’s long term relationship with the sport of cricket.
After years of hard work, he was especially proud of the first-ever cricket stadium in the U.S.A. being located in Lauderhill. Broward County Sheriff, Al Lombardi, praised Cricket Council U.S.A. and the MAQ T20 Tournament for their grassroots approach to teach children cricket through the Cricket Council U.S.A.’s Youth Summer Camps. Kids of all ages will be taught the basic skills by certified and professional cricket coaches.
On behalf of the City of Plantation, Rico Petrocelli congratulated Mr. Qureshi and Cricket Council U.S.A. for their efforts. Other top county and city officials, including Brenda Snipes, supervisor of elections of Broward County, heartily endorsed the tournament.
Many major financial institutions were represented at the ceremony, including SunTrust Bank, Mercantile Bank, Colonial Bank, Sterling Bank, First Southern, Metro Bank, and Met-Life Insurance and Investments. David Albright, President of Sterling Bank, commended Mr. Qureshi as a sports fan as well as a banker. He exclaimed that Mr. Qureshi is always successful when he sets his mind to do a project – and that this is his vision and passion.
Terry Russell, President of the Florida Bar Association and Attorney for Ruden McClosky, stated that this is a multi-faceted opportunity, which boosts the local economy and provides advertisers with a global marketplace.
Attorney Leah Mayersohn endorsed the youth development as well as the excitement of the professional cricket tournament.
During a lively question and answer period, Mr. Qureshi and Event Manager Bobby Refaie detailed three more cricket tournaments to be hosted by Cricket Council U.S.A. at the Central Broward Regional Park’s Cricket Stadium in 2008 –the July 4th, August 16th and Thanksgiving Day weekends. With the sound of Steel Pan music in the background, Mr. Qureshi led everyone out to the field-side veranda for a champagne toast!
More than 30,000 fans are expected to enjoy the three day Memorial Day Weekend event, which includes concerts on both Saturday and Sunday nights – called “Cricket Nights to Remember”. Another attendee of the press conference, Ki-Many Marley, son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, will headline a star-studded list of world performers for the concerts.
