The Minister of Sport Ahmed Khanou has bidden farewell to the Sierra Leone under 19 cricket team, which is leaving for South Africa to play the under 19 ICC-Africa Division 2 World Cup qualifiers.
During the interaction with the team at the stadium hostel sport conference hall office on Tuesday 6th September 2016, Ahmed Khanou extended best wishes to the team, and expressed commitment that he would be ready for the development of cricket.
“Sports strengthen national unity by bringing people from different background together as a team of players, supporters of fans. It is a very good occasion for me to bid farewell to the players”.
On the other hand, Captain George Edward Ngagba expressed confidence that as the team was balanced and strong with quality batmen, bowlers, wicket keepers and fielders, so it would perform very well.
The tournament will be played in a round robin basis and Sierra Leone will be playing a total of 6 matches in the tournament against Botswana, Zambia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Rwanda.
However, Sierra Leone and Tanzania will play the opening match of the tournament in Field-A on 10th September 2016.
The winner of the tournament will be qualifying to the Africa U19 Division 1 and the winner of the Division 1 in January 2017 will be representing Africa in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018.
A 17 man delegation including players and officials will depart Freetown today Wednesday 7th September 2016 for Johannesburg via Accra and Nairobi, Kenya and arrive at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on the 8th of September 2016.
List of delegation;
Players; Ibrahim Bundu, John Bangura, Martin Bockarie, Osman Thomas Sankoh,Yegbeh Jallo, George Edward Ngagba, Haroun Kamara,Aruna Kainessie, Charles Browne, Sahr Gbla, Charles Kargbo, Chernor Bah, Eric Musa Turay and James Franklyn Bangura.
Officials:
Tamba George Kpundeh head coach, Francis Trevor Samura team manager and Beresford Bournes-Coker leader of delegation-
Meanwhile, a second batch of delegation which will include the assistant coach, a media representative and the desk officer for cricket at the National Sport Council Mohamed Vangahun is expected to join the team in South Africa before the start of the competition.
By Bernard Turay
Wednesday September 07, 2016
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