April 8, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Sierra Leone national cricket team dubbed as ‘The Patriot’ will today depart the country’s shores for Johannesburg, South African ahead of their ICC African Twenty20 World Division II tournament which will kick off on April 15-20.
Before their departure, the team bids farewell the deputy sports minister, Al Sankoh Conteh and officials of the national sports council at their office at Bishop House, Brookfield’s.
In his sendoff statements, the deputy minister of sports, Ishmail Al Sankoh said encouraged the players to maintain high standards the make the country proud in South Africa.
He said: “I am proud of your consistency and we hope you will build on that and make the nation proud in South Africa.”
Director of Sports, Ibrahim Bangura said the Sports ministry is highly optimistic that the cricket squad can do the magic and secure the Division II title.
Chairman of Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) board, Beresford Burnce-Coker admitted that they would be facing a difficult task in the upcoming tournament but believe his boys could achieve their goal.
He said: “I have been in cricket for so long but this is the fittest team I believe can take us to the Division One which is the highest level in African cricket.”
Sierra Leone take on Rwanda and Mozambique in the upcoming tournament and the winner will advanced to the African first division.
Sierra Leone delegation includes: (Players) Lansana Lamin (Captain), Abubakarr Kamara ( Vice-captain), Oluwole Compagnie Coker, Emmanuel Kamara, Jacob Mansaray, Ibrahim Mansaray (Wicket- keeper), Edward Marrah, Derick Williams, Abass Gbla, Mohamed Khan, Solomon Williams, Balowa Mansaray, Ishmael Komba and Edward Ngegba (Officials) Francis Trevor Samura, Cyril Panda and Beresford Burnce-Coker.