By Desmond Tunde Coker
Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Western Area Cricket School League commenced on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Prince of Wales School Oval in Kingtom, showcasing the talents of eight senior secondary school teams. The tournament, organized by the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA), aims to promote grassroots cricket development and identify promising players for upcoming U-15 and U-17 international competitions.
Participating Schools:
The eight competing teams have been divided into two pools:
- Pool A: St. Edward’s Senior Secondary School, Albert Academy, SL Grammar School, and Government Senior Secondary School.
- Pool B: Prince of Wales School, Collegiate School, Methodist Boys’ High School, and Government Model School.
Fixtures:
Matches are scheduled at both the Kingtom and Prince of Wales cricket ovals, with highlights including St. Edward’s vs. Government Senior School in the opening match and Prince of Wales taking on Collegiate in Pool B.
SLCA Chairman’s Remarks:
Francis Trevor Samura, Chairman of SLCA, emphasized the importance of the league in nurturing future cricket stars. “This championship forms a critical part of our grassroots development program. It’s where we identify and train the next generation of cricketing talent,” Samura said. He also revealed plans to expand cricket competitions across primary, junior, and senior schools for both boys and girls by January 2025.
The tournament also comes amid ongoing legal challenges within SLCA, as some members contest recent decisions regarding board restructuring. However, Samura assured that the association is committed to maintaining cricket’s values as a gentleman’s game, which he said sets it apart from other sports.
Upcoming Matches:
- November 20: Albert Academy vs. SL Grammar and Government Model vs. MBHS.
- November 22: SL Grammar vs. St. Edward’s and MBHS vs. Collegiate.
- November 25: Final Pool matches to decide the semifinalists.
This year’s tournament not only celebrates the growing popularity of cricket in Sierra Leone but also underscores SLCA’s efforts to develop and elevate the sport at the grassroots level.