The Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, has expressed strong appreciation for the leadership and commitment of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) during a courtesy visit by its executive and a distinguished international guest.
The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association, Francis Trevor Samura, accompanied by members of his executive, paid a visit to the Minister at her Bishop House office in Freetown to formally introduce Justine Ligyalingi, a seasoned sports administrator and current member of the Uganda National Sports Council, CEO of the Uganda Cricket Association, and Acting ICC Regional Development Manager for Africa. Mr. Ligyalingi was in Sierra Leone on a two-day official engagement with the SLCA.
Chairman Samura briefed the Minister on ongoing developments within the Association, noting that Mr. Ligyalingi’s visit was part of broader efforts to strengthen cricket development, enhance governance structures, and deepen regional cooperation across Africa.
In her remarks, Minister James-Teima warmly welcomed the delegation, emphasizing that such visits reflect genuine commitment and progress within national sports associations.
“It is my singular pleasure to welcome you. Your presence shows that something meaningful is happening in cricket, and it allows us to receive correct information firsthand. On behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, I sincerely thank you for your support. It shows we have strong partners invested in promoting cricket in this country,” she said.
The Minister addressed recent media distractions affecting the Association, urging members to remain focused.
“Whatever you do, people will talk. Even the President is talked about. I myself have faced false information. Do not waste your time responding to negativity. Use your time to move cricket forward. Critics should not stop your work.”
She further assured Mr. Ligyalingi and the SLCA executive of the Ministry’s respect and readiness to collaborate.
Highlighting the Association’s resilience, Madam Augusta James-Teima noted that despite limited government support in past years, the SLCA had excelled internationally through discipline and development-driven leadership.
“When I assumed office, I saw that cricket had not received the level of support it deserved, yet you continued to perform excellently. Running sports is expensive, but your efforts have captured the government’s attention,” she said.
Minister James-Teima also referenced her engagement with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over issues concerning the SLCA.
“I did not visit the ACC to take sides, but to affirm that their work is important for sports governance. We must set standards because we do not tolerate corruption. But I also told them that your development project at Sussex is self-funded. That level of commitment is rare.”
She praised the Association’s recent Category B achievement, describing it as a national milestone. She announced that within two weeks, all sports associations will be convened to review progress and strategies for improved performance.
The Minister stressed that sports is no longer for the academically limited, but a professional field requiring planning, governance, and discipline. She expressed optimism that with continued dedication, Sierra Leone could achieve its ambition of hosting major cricket events by 2027; two decades after the last hosting opportunity in 2005.
“I personally love cricket, and as long as I serve here, I will push for progress. Cricket is one of our priority sports because of how much you have achieved without support. We will work to improve that support.”
In closing, Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima thanked the SLCA leadership and Mr. Ligyalingi, assuring them of the Ministry’s commitment to helping Sierra Leone progress toward Category A status, as well as advancing works at Fourah Bay College and the Sussex cricket facility.
