Mustafa Khan didn’t grow up playing cricket—he didn’t even know what it was. But after facing devastating personal losses and experiencing homelessness in the mid-1990s, he was introduced to the game at Dome Village in downtown Los Angeles. What began as reluctant participation turned into a life-changing journey when he joined the Homeless 11 Cricket Team and traveled to England.

 

That experience opened his eyes to the power of sport to build community, foster respect, and create healing. Inspired by what cricket did for him, Mustafa returned to Compton and co-founded the Compton Cricket Club in 1996. He began coaching youth—many of whom had never left the city—and gave them the chance to travel the world, grow in character, and break generational cycles.

 

He later launched the Sheenway Serendipity Cricket Club and eventually founded the Southern California Junior Cricket Academy (SCJCA) to reach even more youth across Compton, Watts, and South L.A. Today, SCJCA blends cricket with STEAM education, mentorship, and life skills—empowering youth ages 10–17 to thrive on and off the field.

 

In June 2025, Mustafa will see a long-held dream fulfilled with the opening of Compton’s first official cricket pitch at Kelly Park. Under his leadership, SCJCA continues to grow—offering co-ed teams, an all-girls team, and a new league that gives young people a safe space to play, learn, and lead.

 

From the streets of L.A. to international fields, Mustafa’s mission is clear: use cricket to transform lives—just as it transformed his.