Southern California Cricket Youth embark on Sri Lanka tour

The Southern California Cricket Youth Association (SCCAY), a distinguished non-profit organization dedicated to developing young athletes, is set to embark on an exciting tour to Sri Lanka from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Established in 2002, SCCAY has cultivated a legacy of empowering youth through cricket, promoting physical and mental well-being, and fostering valuable life skills.

This initiative, titled the Sri Lanka Youth Tour, extends beyond cricket. The tour serves as a platform to inspire teamwork and growth among young athletes while supporting underprivileged youth in Sri Lanka. Proceeds from the event will be channeled into charitable causes, exemplifying SCCAY’s commitment to social responsibility.

The itinerary promises high-level cricketing action. The young talents will face off against prominent Sri Lankan academies and schools:

SCCAY’s lineup features players who have already made their mark in U.S. cricket. Among them are national-level athletes, including Ayan Desai (USA Men’s team) and Chetna Reddy Pagydyala (USA Women’s team). Former USA U19 players, such as Shakeel Ahmad and Sahil Patel, are also part of this illustrious roster.

Leading the team is Mumtaz Yusuf, a Level 3 coach with extensive international experience. A former coach for Sri Lanka and Malaysia’s national teams, Yusuf has also guided SCCAY on successful tours to Malaysia (2022) and Sri Lanka (2023). His expertise is instrumental in shaping the future of these young cricketers.

The tour underscores SCCAY’s holistic approach by combining sports with community service. Players like Aarush, who leads community initiatives as president of the Lion’s Heart Irvine club, and Arnav, co-founder of a nonprofit aiding underserved populations, embody this ethos. Others, such as Rohan, who established Cricket2028.org to promote cricket in the U.S., exemplify the spirit of youth leadership.

This tour represents a significant milestone for SCCAY, intertwining cricket development with cultural exchange and community empowerment. With its rich legacy and commitment to youth advancement, SCCAY continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers and changemakers.

Tour Schedule

• December 24: St. Benedict’s College, Colombo

• December 26: Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Academy

• December 29: Foundation of Goodness Cricket Academy

• December 31: Colts Cricket Academy, Colombo

• January 2, 2025: St. Joseph’s College, Colombo.