Dear Editor,
AFTER over 35 years, the glorious game of lovely cricket was played on a flood-lit ground in Leonora at the new Leonora Sports Ground located at the back of the Leonora Police Station, much to the jubilation of sports lovers in the community and the cricket-starved villagers.
Live cricket returned to the village of Leonora last Friday night, October 2, when a President’s X1 team led by His Excellency the President, Dr Irfaan Ali himself, played a friendly 20-over game of tape-ball cricket against a Leonora X1 team, led by Jeetendra Kishore (Jit). The visitors made 225 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and bowled out the hosts for 178 runs. President Ali picked up three wickets.
The ground was unofficially opened on September 27, 2026, when a 50-ball softball competition was played, involving teams from Leonora Pasture “Legends” (winner) the Leonora Police Station (1st Runner Up), the Leonora Muslim Youth Organisation (2nd Runner-Up) and Leonora A and B Cricket Club ( 3rd Runner-Up). This competition was organised by members from the Softball Cricket League Region Three and members from the Leonora Police Station Management Committee.
First prize included a $100,000 cash and trophy which were donated by Imran “Wolf “ Roti & Furniture Store; second prize of $75,000, third prize of $50,000, donated by Nadesh’s N&R Welding Co. and Reuben’s RH Int, fourth prize of $25,000, donated by Bacchus Ent. Construction, and the other three trophies were donated by Kesho’s Murthy Store.
With the blessings of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson, Minister Steven Jacobs, Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand, the RDC Region Three, Stewartville/CI NDC, Mr. Lionel Rasul, many persistent petitioners and other community-minded citizens, Leonora’s dream of having its own ground once again has materialised.
It therefore means that, in particular, the youths now have a place of their own to practise and play cricket and they will be kept off the streets from drugs, away from the consumption of alcoholic beverages in their free time and can now run, exercise and spend time in a safe space.
This is in keeping with President Ali’s advice of staying fit by “Get Up, Get Out and Get Active.”
The environment is healthy and secured as it is located right next to the seawall of the Atlantic Ocean, the Leonora Police Station and the Leonora Cottage Hospital. As advised by President Ali, there is a plan to improve the standard and ambience. Leonorians and others are happy, grateful and appreciative for this initiative.
Yours Respectfully,
Jai Lall
