Former teammates, school friends and members of Singapore’s sporting fraternity will come together at the end of August to celebrate the life of late national cricketer and coach Arjun Menon through a weekend of cricket, football and fundraising, while also renewing calls for justice more than a year after his death in Malawi.
The Arjun Menon Legacy Weekend, from Aug 28 to 30, will feature six-a-side cricket and football tournaments at the Singapore Cricket Club’s Dempsey grounds, alongside a Legacy Tribute Night at Harry’s Bar, Boat Quay, on the opening evening.
Proceeds from the event will support two charitable causes that were close to Arjun’s heart – the Maoni Orphanage in Malawi and the Vivekananda Cultural Centre Building Fund in Singapore.
Arjun, the former Singapore national cricket coach who guided the Republic to its historic SEA Games gold medal in 2017, was serving as operations director of Cricket Malawi when he was killed outside his home in Blantyre on May 10, 2025. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
For close friend, sports presenter and commentator Shehzad Haque, organising the memorial weekend became a way of coping with the shock of losing someone who meant so much to so many.
“We all felt so helpless when the news broke, especially since we didn’t really know the circumstances and all kinds of wild rumours were emanating from thousands of miles away,” he said.
“I think part of the coping mechanism was to try and distract from the profound sadness and shock. Honouring him through sport, which was such a massive part of his life, especially his two greatest loves – cricket and football – made a lot of sense.”
The organisers, comprising former teammates, old friends and schoolmates, are aiming for six-a-side cricket and football tournaments. The emphasis, said Shehzad, is on participation, friendship and inclusivity rather than fierce competition.
“Arjun was all about bringing people together. We want everyone to enjoy themselves, have a drink, share a laugh and celebrate someone who loved life and loved sport.”
The opening tribute night will feature a photographic montage of Arjun’s life, video messages from friends and former players around the world, as well as personal tributes from those who knew him best. The weekend will conclude with a prize presentation attended by Arjun’s father.
Close friend Amit Oza said the memorial reflected Arjun’s lifelong commitment to helping others.
“Arjun was always a believer in giving back to society and was passionate about many sports. We wanted to create a weekend that celebrates the values he lived by.”
Beyond honouring Arjun, the organisers also hope the event will keep public attention focused on the unresolved investigation into his death.
“It’s heartbreaking that we still don’t know what truly happened,” said Shehzad. “We want to support his sister Prema’s campaign for the truth to come out. We have a Singaporean who was killed overseas more than a year ago, and nothing seems to have progressed.”
Ms Prema has spoken publicly of her frustration over the lack of regular updates from investigators in Malawi, saying she continues to struggle to obtain information while hoping those responsible will eventually be brought to justice.
She said: “Arjun’s friends grew up with him, dreamed with him and have now come together to ensure he’s never forgotten. I hope the tournament celebrates not just his achievements in cricket, but the values he lived by – kindness, camaraderie, curiosity and generosity. More than anything, I hope it becomes a healing experience for everyone who loved him, while keeping alive our family’s hope that those responsible for his death are brought to justice through a fair and transparent process.”
