Kent County Cricket Club develops unique partnership with Kent Cricket Club, Sierra Leone

Kent County Cricket Club and Kent Cricket Board have developed a unique partnership with Kent Cricket Club (KCC), Sierra Leone, supporting their efforts to get more youngsters involved in cricket within the war torn country. The West African club has received cricket equipment and accessories, vital to the development of its young cricketers and the future of the club.

The donation is part of Kent County Cricket Club’s community engagement programme, which has also seen the Club develop relationships with club’s and schools throughout the county, encouraging youngsters to develop their skills and partake in the game.

The boundless enthusiasm and goodwill of Sierra Leone’s people has been sapped by eleven years of brutal civil war. In these challenging circumstances, cricket offers communities hope, and Kent Cricket Club, Sierra Leone’s intention is to develop the game at grassroots and to also educate and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and other health related issues. Cricket is galvanising communities in the country and helping its people deal with the challenges facing the country at large.

Emmanuel Pessima, Chief Executive and Founder of Kent Cricket Club, Sierra Leone commented; "On behalf of Kent Cricket Club and the people of Sierra Leone, I would like to say thank you to the entire Board, Members and the people of the Kent County Cricket Club and Kent Cricket Board for their kind donation.

“Your caring support towards Kent Cricket Club in Sierra Leone will make a great difference to the lives of thousands of children".

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.”