Inaugural Memon Premier League T20 Cricket festival from 17 to 23 February

The World Memon Organisation Far East Chapter will be hosting the Inaugural Memon Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament from 17 to 23 February 2013.

The tournament will be played to international rules covering T20 cricket and will have teams from Africa, England, India, Pakistan, UAE, and Sri Lanka. The teams have been divided into two groups of three teams and after the round robin competition the Top 2 teams from each group will battle out in the Semi Finals for a place in the finals to be played on 23 February at R. Premadasa Stadium. The level of competiveness is expected to be high but the bond and fellowship between the participants that will be generated will be even higher.  The World Memon Organisation has been formed as an international umbrella organisation to unite Memon organisations, institutions, corporate bodies, associations, and individuals. The purpose of the WMO is to act as the central Memon organisation representing the entire Memon community throughout the world, promoting the advancement, upliftment, unity, welfare and well‐being of all Memons in all aspects of life and at all times in accordance with Islamic principles. The WMO is a non‐profit‐making organisation incorporated by guarantee and not having a share capital, whose registered office is situated in England and Wales.

The Memons are perhaps one of the most widely dispersed peoples. This erstwhile mercantile community having its roots in Northern India have gone far and wide in search of greener pastures, settling down in new lands and founding colonies, not by force of arms like the conquerors of old but in pursuit of that rare business acumen so characteristic of this enterprising and industrious race.

Memons are today found in large numbers in Karachi, Pakistan and Mumbai, Surat, Madras, Dhoraji and Hyderabad in India. Sizeable communities are also found in South Africa, Particularly Pretoria, Pietersburg and Pietermaritzburg, Burma, Bangladesh Sri Lanka, UK and United Sates of America.

Coinciding with the T20 tournament, the first International Youth Conference (IYC) will also be held on 21 February 2013 at Hotel Galadari.

Memon Youth from all over the world will attend the conference and will benefit from cultural diversity. The conference aims to bring together students, young professionals, community volunteers and leaders that will provide excellent opportunities for networking, sharing and learning.  A multifaceted one day conference will encourage participants to envision their future and will help set the stage for the International Memon Youth Wing to take the form.

Special events in the program will include WMO Chapters sessions, international networking, breakout/training sessions and launch of the International Youth Wing. Over 250 guests from overseas are expected to attend these twin events as players, delegates and supporters and this will be an ideal opportunity to show case the beauty and wonder of Sri Lanka and at the same time contribute to support the tourism industry in the country.