Julius Schneider, honorary president of Cricket Council U.S.A., welcomed over 300 guests to the official kickoff ceremony and press conference for the MAQ T20 International Cricket Tournament '08 at the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium where the tournament is scheduled to take place May 23-25, 2008.

Mahammad A. Qureshi, Chairman and C.E.O. of Cricket Council U.S.A. and pioneer of 20/20 cricket in the U.S.A., announced that this was a night of "firsts", as the event will be the first-ever international 20/20 cricket tournament in the U.S.A. at the first-ever cricket stadium in the U.S.A. Mr. Qureshi proclaimed that this is another major step to bringing the Cricket World Cup home to the United States.

Joining the local and worldwide press corps were mayors, government dignitaries, and prominent business men and women and a number of cricket legends.