By Bockarie Allieu
The newly appointed Acting General Manager of Cricket Sierra Leone, Crispin E. George, held his first meeting with departmental heads and staff on Monday, where he officially confirmed his appointment and laid out his vision for the organization. Crispin George emphasized his commitment to advancing cricket in Sierra Leone, urging all communications to be routed through him for efficient coordination with the board.
In terms of administrative changes, Crispin George announced the introduction of a staff register for signing-in and out, as well as plans to issue identification cards to all employees and department heads. He also instructed the senior men’s team head coach and the selection committee to trim the team roster to 18 players by October 11, 2024. These players will continue training until the final squad of 14 is selected for the ICC Regional T20 World Cup qualifier in Abuja, Nigeria, scheduled for November 2024. The team is set to depart Sierra Leone on November 19, 2024.
Crispin George called on the head of umpires and scorers to train additional personnel in preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifier and local league matches. He also appealed to the media to enhance their coverage of cricket through social media, television, radio, and newspapers, in order to raise the profile of the sport across the nation
In response, Discipline Officer Sheka Kamara appealed for at least one media representative to be included in delegations for international tournaments. He noted that, in the past, it had been difficult to obtain timely updates on match results. Public Relations Officer Bockarie Allieu highlighted the importance of having a journalist on board to conduct interviews and provide in-depth coverage, a role that team managers or officials cannot fulfill.
Media professional Samuel also raised concerns about the equipment needed for effective reporting, requesting professional cameras, laptops, and iPads for live broadcast coverage. He stressed the need for staff with expertise in camera operation to ensure quality production. Meanwhile, Head of Umpires Ibrahim Kabia called for new uniforms, counters, and small notebooks for umpires, while the scorers requested iPads for online scoring. Groundskeepers also outlined the tools they need for pitch preparation.
Crispin George assured the staff that all requests had been noted and would be presented to the board for consideration. He concluded his address by stressing the importance of discipline, urging players to follow the proper chain of command by communicating their concerns through their captains and coaches.
