Ex-S'pore cricketer, coach Menon killed in Malawi

As a player and later on a coach, former national cricketer Arjun Menon's passion for the sport was always evident. The love for the game and an eagerness to spread that affection for cricket took him on a journey spanning four continents.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

But it reached a tragic end on May 10 in East African country Malawi, where Menon, 48, has been the operations manager of Cricket Malawi since February 2020.

In a press statement on May 11, Dr Henry Kamata, chief executive officer of Malawi's National Council of Sports, said Menon was "brutally murdered" at his residence on May 10 and called on law enforcement authorities to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

When contacted, Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) president Mahmood Gaznavi said he was deeply saddened by the news, adding that "reports emerging from Malawi seem to indicate that his life was taken by very dubious people".

In a Facebook post, Nation Publications Limited which owns The Nation, a Malawi-based newspaper, said reports had indicated Menon was attacked by thugs in Blantyre.

It added that Menon was instrumental in Malawi cricket's recent international success that led to the sport grabbing three accolades at the Malawi Sport Awards.

Gaznavi said that he last spoke to Menon about three months ago and added that he was a "very, very down to earth and measured guy who had a lot of love for the game".