By Sigismond Nicol
A delegation comprising the Senior Men’s Patriots and officials from the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) led by Chairman Francis Trevor Samura bade farewell to the Minister of Sport, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, at his Bishop House office on Monday to seek his blessings and to reinforce the call for Government’s speedy financial response to a family in dire need of help.
This has been the formal practice of SLCA whenever its team is to represent the country in crucial cross-border showpieces.
At the meeting, the Chairman of SLCA, Francis Trevor Samura, introduced players and officials in a eulogizing fashion to Minister Nyelenkeh in the presence of other heads at the Ministry. He said that the squad cannot depart the shores of Sierra Leone without the Minister knowing, especially at a stage where cricket is in dire need of financial support.
“We have not been able to attract support from Government for four years now. And this is getting serious. Our father, His Excellency President Bio, is a lover of sports and cricket in particular. We want him to hear that his beloved cricket is constrained financially and has been so for years,” he added.
Sport Director, Mustapha Korji, said the country’s Cricketing body has received praises from foreign partners. “This speaks to good leadership although the Chairman is being underrated back home. Indeed, the boys are wonderful. Note that cricket is a gentleman’s game, so, guys go there and come back with something,” he told the players.
While speaking, Minister Nyelenkeh said cricket has a rich history. “It is the second biggest sports in the country. In terms of success and achievements, no other sporting disciplines can match cricket,” he pointed out, thanking the Board of SLCA for the wise decision to hire the expertise of a foreign coach, describing the option as nationally unique.
He went on to say that they should give preference to sporting disciplines that are performing, promising to table the matter of cricket at the next cabinet meeting.
Moving the vote of thanks, Captain of the Men’s Patriots, George Edward Ngegba, said his team’s focus is on qualification. “We are tactically and physically fit but financially broken. Taking part in sport without the necessary morale booster can hinder results,” he said.
Meanwhile, a substantial number of the delegation will depart the country tomorrow to set for Rwanda ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Group B Qualifier slated for November 30 through December 10 in Kigali.
