The International Cricket Council (ICC) Development Manager for Africa and Development Officer for Africa have on 26th May 2022 paid a four-day visit to Sierra Leone to discuss the developmental projects for Cricket development in Sierra Leone.
Francis Trevor Samura the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association said their visit to Sierra Leone is to meet with the newly elected board that was elected on the 26th June 2021, to discuss issues around being an associate member, Criteria of ICC, Sierra Leone being an associate member and what is expected of you being a member.
They will also discuss the development of Cricket in the Country and to also thank the Government of President Julius Maada Bio for allocating land to the Association for the development of the game, and they are also here to convey a message from the International Cricket Council in Dubai to the President of Sierra Leone.
Madam Patricia Kambarami the development manager of the International Cricket Council in Africa in her statements during the meeting with the National Sports Authority said she feels highly honored to meet with (the NSA) because Sierra Leone is a member of the ICC and Africa is having (19) members and the ICC have (94) members with Zimbabwe and South Africa the major member which make it a total of (114) members of ICC and Sierra Leone is in category falls in ( B) in the international Ranking, but she has the belief that Sierra Leone has the potentials to gain the A category.
Madam Patricia said their visit is to discuss the areas Sierra Leone needs to improve on to gain the A-spot.
“We are grateful to the Government for giving Land to the Cricket Association and we believe that will in the development of the Cricket in the Country.”
She further that one key area Sierra Leone falls shot has to do with the grassroots development because it is key in developing Cricket, before going, Sierra Leone needs to make sure the Structure and systems are done properly the basic at grassroots development and that is so important and they want to work with the current board to take them to category (A) she said the training, Educational programs in the ICC that will get Sierra Leone on track with other countries.
She added that their main important focus has to do with the Governance systems; there are three pillars, the growth, Strength, and Protection of the game. Anything regarding good Governance starts with the board first has to be in the sink, if they are not in the sink they will have problem with the Management if a board is working differently the management of the game will be difficult.
Justine Ligyaling the Development Officer ICC Cricket in Africa said it was a pleasure to be back in Sierra Leone and thank the Government for its Support of Cricket.
He adds that “we work with our members in trying to support them in growing facilities, growing the area of training and educational programs.”
He went on to that they have tools and products to support them in that area, they believe that as you grow in the game, areas such as Umpires, Scoring, and Administrators all these people need skills.
Dr. Kenneth Brima the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority said as a Government agency they are happy to receive the high profile personality from ICC and that the Government of President Julius Maada Bio has been supportive of the Cricket Association and that Cricket is among the Five Sporting Disciplines that are Government prioritized Sport in the Country.
The two high profile Officials also met with the board as they discuss the way forward in developing the Sports with hope of becoming the top discipline in the Country.
