Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                     Cricket Makes Comeback in Sierra Leone

   by Nina de Vries

   The game of cricket is making a comeback in Sierra Leone and is
   inspiring young men in particular.  Many young people who play are also
   being encouraged to stay in school by the local cricket association.
   The temperature is 28 C in the afternoon as a coach shouts out commands
   to his cricket players at Sierra Leone's only cricket ground in the
   country's capital Freetown.
   The players look intense, concentrating on their game.  But this is not
   any random cricket game, this is different.
   Several of these cricket players are playing not only for fun, but also
   to enhance their education and improve their lives.  Osman Koroma, 18,
   is currently is homeless. "I am living around with my friends, so when
   I want to go to sleep, I say to my friends, 'Man, I am coming over' and
   I go and lay my head," he explained.
   Koroma started playing cricket when he was just nine years old.  He was
   having trouble in school and decided to try it as a hobby.
   His family did not like him playing though, because they were worried
   it would interfere more with his studies.  They told him he had to
   leave the house if he continued playing.
   By then the sport was his passion, so he chose to leave home.  The
   [1]Sierra Leone Cricket Association stepped in and encouraged him to
   stay in school and still play cricket.
   The Association even helped with his school fees.  Koroma says cricket
   has helped him stay more focused, because he says the game is all about
   discipline.  He has competed in several West African tournaments, and
   encourages other young men to take up the game. "Let them come and find
   a way out, to play sports, cricket, it is a game played all over the
   world," he stated. "A responsible game."
   Usman Thomas Sankoh, 17, is another youth struggling because he could
   not afford his school fees.
   The Sierra Leone Cricket Association also helped him pay his fees and
   encouraged him to play cricket.  He is now a strong bowler and batman.
   Speaking in his native Krio language Sankoh said the game of cricket
   helped pick him up from the gutter and brought him to life.  He is
   grateful for that.
   SLCA CEO Francis Samura is one of the driving forces behind helping
   keep youth in school, while playing cricket.  Through playing cricket
   he also gained self confidence when he was a teenager.  Now he wants to
   help others. "I have the focus that I must do better in life, I must be
   somebody who can contribute to development, of my country, develop
   myself and help other people," Samura said. "So I am an example to the
   youth."
   Samura says with so many youth unemployed in the country, 70 percent
   according to the World Bank, there is a desperate need for youth to
   stay in school.  He says the majority of money to help pay for players'
   school fees comes from the Sierra Leone government and the
   International Cricket Council.
   Samura also wants youth to understand the history and significance the
   game has had on the country.
   Sierra Leone is a former British colony, and the game was first
   introduced by the British Royal Artillery in 1898.  The sport thrived
   among the British and the people of Sierra Leone.
   Ainor Emmanuel Scott, a veteran player who first started playing as a
   young boy in the 1960's, remembers how popular cricket was back then
   and says often the British and locals would play together on the same
   teams. "It is a game that will mold you into a gentleman," he said.
   But it was not always like this.  The game completely stopped during
   the country's civil war in the 1990's, which lasted a decade.  During
   that time almost all cricket grounds were destroyed.
   It has taken a lot of patience and hard work to bring the game back.
   The field these young cricketers in Freetown play on has no grass and
   there is no fence, but they make it work.

   Scott says he is pleased to see so many young people taking an interest
   in the sport again and he spends much of his time coaching young
   players too.
   And the young players today are making an impact.  These days more than
   4,000 young people are involved in cricket throughout Sierra Leone.
   Players are unfazed by the challenge, and the SCLA's Francis Samura
   says they are hoping to qualify for the International Cricket Council
   Under-19 World Cup in February 2014.
   The SLCA also hopes to encourage a West African tournament in the
   Gambia sometime in March.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/cricket-makes-comeback-in-sierra-leon
   e/1585547.html

References

   1. https://www.facebook.com/SierraLeoneCricketAssociation
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/cricket-makes-comeback-in-sierra-leone/1585547.html