By Alie Sonta Kamara
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation Uyi Akpata has expressed commitment to boost Sierra Leone’s FBC Cricket Project by sponsoring an expert curator to construct two standard pitches.
President Akpata will cover costs on air tickets (to and from Lagos) and salary for the curator whilst Cricket Sierra Leone will take care of food and accommodation.
The help has come through the tireless push of CSL Board Chairman Francis Trevor Samura, who is grim to deliver the FBC Project.
Chairman Samura has welcomed the brotherhood gesture and thanked President Akpata for his vision to see cricket grow in West Africa.
The expert, who is expected in Freetown later this year when the second phase of the FBC Project will have begun, will also be tasked to train local curators. This home-based team will look after the facility when it is completed.
The United Arab Emirate Cricket Federation has donated a world-class bowling machine for the cricket lab as playing kits and other forms of assistance are on the card.
Uganda and other nations have expressed willingness to share their success stories with Sierra Leone on how they were able to reach the World Cup.
The FBC Project will mark the start of CSL’s preparation to host the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier 2026.
It has been 19 years since Sierra Leone last hosted an international competition.
When it is completed, the facility will be utilized to host domestic cricket competitions. Students at FBC will have the opportunity to be playing Cricket at departmental and Campus levels, and Sierra Leone will attract foreign tourists with cricket at the center of their varied interests.
