Kent Country Cricket Club in the United Kingdom has donated cricket stuff to the Kent Cricket Club (KCC) in Sierra Leone on Monday October 28th 2013. The items included: soft balls, calendars, pictures of their players and officials, and other materials. (Photo L-R: Omoduni Georg a Board Member of KCC and Emmanuel Pessima the CEO & Founder displayed some of the items donated.)
Speaking to the press after receiving the items, the CEO & Founder of Kent Cricket club (KCC), Emmanuel Pessima, said the day marked another significant milestone in the history of Kent Cricket Club in Sierra Leone, as they received cricket items from the Kent Country Cricket Club in the UK.
He said that the donation was significant to them because Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first-class country cricket clubs that make up the English and Welsh National Cricket Structure; and that receiving such equipment from them is a boost to the club that is striving very hard to develop the game in the country.
CEO Pessima revealed that they got a contact with KCC a week after the U-12 cricket tournament, which was sponsored by Lime Line, as they were very impressed with the way the tournament was run. That was why they decided to come on board to assist the club with some stuff for which, he said, they are very happy. He expressed hope between the two clubs and believes the relationship will develop to a peak of being able to push the aspiration of the sport in the country.
“I want to extent and appreciation to David Turner, High Performance Team Chairman at the Kent County Cricket Club without his support this donation would not have happened, and also many thanks to the Entire Board, Members and players and supporters of the Kent County Cricket Club for this wonderful donation”, CEO Pessima said.
Kent County Cricket Club and Kent Cricket Board are keen to develop the partnership with the West African club further over the next few years, as David Turner Kent Cricket Board’s Chair of High Performance Cricket explains; “I am immensely proud that we have been able to change the lives of young people throughout Sierra Leone with our donation, enabling many more children to be involved with and enjoy the game.
“Encouraging young people to participate in cricket at grassroots level is integral to the role of Kent Cricket Board and being able to support the people of Sierra Leone with their cricket is fantastic. We hope to build upon this activity and develop our relationship with Kent Cricket Club, Sierra Leone further over the next few years.”