Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The ongoing leadership crisis within the Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) has sparked growing concern among stakeholders, who say the sport’s progress is being stifled by poor administration, lack of transparency, and disregard for accountability.
At the heart of the turmoil is SLCA Chairman Francis Trevor Samura, whose leadership has come under fire for allegedly failing to uphold good governance and deliver the reforms needed to revitalize cricket in the country.
The discontent peaked following a crucial stakeholders’ gathering in York about a month ago. The event brought together former national players, club representatives, coaches, and sports administrators, all united by a shared frustration over the declining state of the game.
Participants identified several persistent challenges, including poor financial management, neglected infrastructure, and the absence of structured youth development programmes. They also cited repeated violations of the association’s constitution as a key cause of disunity and stagnation.
To address the problems, the meeting unanimously agreed to establish an independent multi-stakeholder committee to investigate the association’s operations, review its finances, and develop a clear recovery plan for Sierra Leonean cricket.
But weeks later, the resolution remains unimplemented, a delay that many see as a deliberate attempt by the SLCA leadership to avoid scrutiny.
“Nothing has been done since we left York,” a former national player told this reporter. “The chairman agreed to the formation of the committee, but he has failed to take any action. It feels like he is deliberately blocking progress.”
A club representative described the situation as “administrative paralysis,” noting that communication within the association has broken down entirely. “We have no direction, no programmes, and no accountability. The constitution is being ignored, and young talents are losing hope,” the official said.
With internal efforts proving futile, frustrated stakeholders have now turned to the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Sports, calling for urgent government intervention.
“We have reached the end of the road internally,” their joint statement read. “The NSA and the Minister of Sports must step in, conduct a forensic audit, and enforce reforms that will restore credibility and order within the SLCA.”
As the leadership remains silent, the once-promising future of Sierra Leonean cricket grows increasingly uncertain, with fans and players alike calling for decisive action to save the sport from collapse.
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