The long awaited Cricket equipment from Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has arrived in Freetown. This includes a full set of cricket nets and an artificial playing surface to the governing body.
It had been planned that the equipment will initially be used in schools and later installed at a new national indoor cricket academy.
Sierra Leone has been an affiliate member of the international Cricket Council (ICC) since 2002, and last season competed in Division 2 of the ICC World Cricket League Africa region.
Some improvements have been made to the infrastructure of cricket across the nation in recent years; however, facilities and equipment remain rudimentary. Many of the country’s grounds were destroyed during the decade long civil war that ended in 2002, and there are currently only two cricket nets available for training, which are in a state of disrepair.
The delivery of the MCC nets and artificial turf wickets worth over $100,000 when new, and still in decent condition therefore represents a timely boost to development plans.
The nets and flooring are being recycled from the MCC Academy at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which is undergoing a full refurbishment this winter. In addition to the new netting and playing surface, the lane lighting is being replaced with a more efficient system, and a deep clean internal and external walls will be performed.
Speaking about the arrangement, MCC head of Cricket, John Stephension said that he is absolutely delighted that MCC can continue to support the Sierra Leone Cricket Association adding that he feels that, the nets and flooring will be put to excellent use.
The foundation for development lies in what equipment and facilities are available, he said and hopes that the donation will make a difference.
“MCC is committed to increasing the international appeal of cricket and the club’s relationship with Sierra Leone forms an important part of developing talent in emerging nations.”
The Director of Limeline Internet, Stuart Bentham, in his own statement said that the donation from MCC will make a real difference to the Sierra Leone Cricket Association.
Sierra Leone is, like Afghanistan, a country touched by war, the facilities need to be rebuilt and this donation offers a real chance to do that. It is incredibly generous of MCC to donate their nets and wickets.
The President of the association Beresford Bournes-Coker in his own contribution said Limeline decided to sponsor SLCA to offer us a lifeline
According to Coker they have never had a sponsor before and now we can see real changes happening, this gear from the MCC offers us another chance, the chance to have a proper facility.
He also revealed that they have the talent and the desire but they do not have the facilities, hopefully this donation will be the beginning of something wonderful.
He went further to thank MCC and their members for donating this equipment to the association. The Cricket President also went further to appeal to government through the Ministry of Youth Employment and Sports to assist the association for a waiver to clear the equipment at the quay.
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