Every Sunday, when I (Neel) went to cricket coaching at UWC Tampines, we noticed migrant workers playing cricket in open fields nearby. I really wanted to join them, but I was either heading to my class or coming back from it, so the timing never worked. Even though the conditions were not great, they played with so much passion and happiness. Watching them made my brother and me think about how much they loved cricket and how we could play a game with them one day.

Around our birthday in January 2025, we started talking to our parents about this idea. Instead of having a big party just for our friends, we thought we could do something different and more meaningful. We decided to include the migrant workers and organize a T20-style cricket match so they could experience playing on a real pitch, just like we do. In this format, everyone bats, bowls, and fields, which makes it very inclusive and fun. After many discussions with our parents and friends, we were finally ready to make the idea happen in March 2025.

We chose to play indoors so the weather would not affect our plans, and also because it would give the workers a new and exciting experience. We live near the American Club, and while traveling back and forth between home and the club, we often saw workers at nearby construction sites. My brother and I gathered our courage, walked up to them, and showed them a poster for the cricket match at The Cage. Sometimes the workers felt shy or confused about why we were doing this. Other times, they were very interested and took our parents’ phone number to learn more.

We also asked them to invite their friends and reached out to It’s Raining Raincoats for support and guidance to help spread the word.

This led to our first match in March 2025, where 40 migrant workers took part in a T20-style league match. With the help of our parents, we booked the pitch for four hours and played several exciting games, ending with a semifinal and a final. For this match, both of us played on the migrant workers’ teams and also helped umpire the games. We bought the winners’ trophy from Mustafa, and the runners-up received new cricket bats as prizes.

Our mother and aunties helped prepare a home-cooked, nutritious dinner for all 40 workers, and we sat together to eat after the games. Sharing a meal made the day feel even more special.

This was the start of something bigger than we had imagined.

Seeing the workers’ enthusiasm, healthy competitive spirit, and love for cricket—which we shared too—we decided to launch the Migrant Worker Premier League (MWPL). We wanted it to feel like a real league, so we introduced digital scoring and professional umpires to make the games more organized and fair.

After the first few matches, we conducted a poll to ask the players what they preferred. About 80% voted to continue playing indoors because they enjoyed the format and overall experience. That’s when we realized this style of play, where everyone bats and bowls, was perfect for the league.

Planning the Migrant Worker Premier League took a lot of teamwork and responsibility. We organized teams, trophies, medals, umpires for each field, and digital scoring. We also wanted the players to feel cared for, so we arranged food and drinks for every match day. This time, word spread quickly. Even though more than 80 workers were interested, we had to limit the number of players so the games could run smoothly. Teams also had extra players on standby in case of work clashes or rest days. In total, over 80 players competed in a round-robin format, where every team played every other team.

The planning was sometimes challenging because we needed to make sure everyone had enough rest, especially when some players played two matches in one day. We made sure there was water, fruit, rest time, and home-cooked food after each game. We provided cricket sets for the teams, but many players still brought their own bats because they were comfortable with the size and weight. This showed us how serious and committed they were to the sport.

Of course, we made mistakes along the way. Sometimes the schedules did not work perfectly, or players arrived late for their games. However, we stayed calm, worked together, and learned how to solve problems better each time. By the end of the league, it felt like we were all part of one big cricket family. The players were happy, the matches were competitive, and everyone showed respect for one another.

What started as a birthday idea grew into something much bigger. Through cricket, we connected with people from different backgrounds and learned how lucky we are to have access to good facilities and coaching. This experience taught us responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and empathy.

We are now looking forward to expanding the league in 2026 and making it even better, so more migrant workers can enjoy playing the sport they love in a safe and proper environment.