Post a comment 
Cricket Sierra Leone (CSL) has launched a major national initiative aimed at training 1,000 Physical and Health Education (PHE) teachers, as part of efforts to expand grassroots cricket development across the country.
The programme, officially unveiled at Monjasa Park, Murray Town Field in Freetown, brought together 50 schools from across the capital, along with pupils, teachers, and invited guests. The launch marks the beginning of a long-term strategy to integrate cricket into school sports systems nationwide.
The initiative is expected to run through 2027 and focuses on building the capacity of teachers to deliver entry-level cricket training in schools. It aligns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) Legacy Programme for Africa 2027 and includes coaching clinics, school cricket festivals, as well as inter-class, inter-house, and inter-school competitions.
Speaking at the launch, Cricket Sierra Leone Board Chairman Francis Trevor Samura said the programme is designed to empower teachers as key drivers of cricket development in schools.
“We do not have the human resource capacity to reach all schools. The teachers will help in that regard with the aim of increasing the number of players involved in cricket,” he said.
He explained that strengthening teacher capacity is central to ensuring sustainable grassroots development and wider participation of young people in the sport.
Samura also disclosed that CSL has begun producing cricket equipment locally in order to reduce dependence on costly imports.
“If Cricket Sierra Leone is to succeed in establishing a sustainable nationwide grassroots cricket development programme, we must ensure that beginners’ equipment is accessible,” he stated.
He added that the association currently has 100 sets of cricket equipment, with an additional 500 sets expected from international partners. The equipment will be distributed once received.
The Board Chairman further thanked the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for supporting the initiative and creating an enabling environment for school sports development.
The launch event also featured demonstration matches involving Police Primary School and Murray Town Municipal Primary School, as well as Saint Edward’s Junior Secondary School against Murray Town Municipal Secondary School. The games highlighted modified cricket formats designed for accessibility and flexibility in schools.
The programme officially signals the start of expanded school cricket activities for the 2026 academic year, with CSL positioning the initiative as a foundation for long-term national cricket development.
