Cricketers Honored for the year of 2025

Cricketers Honored for the year of 2025

Two distinguished Sierra Leonean cricketers, Abubakarr Kamara and Abass Gbla, have earned selection to the prestigious West Africa Cricket Team of the Year for 2025. Mr. Kamara is the Captain of the Sierra Leone Police Cricket Team, while Mr. Gbla leads the Midwest Cricket Team.

This notable achievement is a direct consequence of their exemplary performance during the recently concluded West Africa Trophy, which was contested in Abuja, Nigeria, from December 4th to 14th, 2025.

Abubakarr Kamara, a former Captain of the Sierra Leone U19 Men's Cricket Team, previously guided the national squad to the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) Global qualifier when Sierra Leone was an affiliate member of the ICC. Under his leadership, the team secured gold and advanced from the Division 2 Qualifier, held in Maputo in 2009, to the ICC U19 Men's CWCQ Africa Division 1.

In a surprising turn of events, he then led his team to secure qualification for the ICC U19 Men's CWCQ Global qualifier by overcoming traditionally stronger African teams in the Division 1 tournament held in Lusaka, Zambia, in August 2009. His career has continued to garner attention both on and off the field of play.

Abass Gbla commenced his senior debut for Sierra Leone in 2010 and has consistently delivered impressive performances both within the ropes and in his conduct outside of the game.

Both athletes demonstrated exceptional professionalism and skill across batting, fielding, and bowling disciplines during the West African Trophy 2025, which was held in Lagos, Nigeria. Their outstanding contributions were the primary factor leading to their inclusion in the West Africa Team of the Year, an honor that also conferred financial prizes.

Furthermore, Mr. Kamara and Mr. Gbla are two of the four most experienced players within the Sierra Leone squad that participated in the West African Trophy 2025.

Complementing their efforts, John Bangura of Special Line Cricket Club concluded the tournament as Sierra Leone's leading batsman, accumulating 180 runs across 10 matches.

Abubakarr Kamara and Abass Gbla join other top-performing athletes from participating nations including Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia to collectively form the distinguished West African Team of the Year 2025.