By Barrie Alpha
The Sierra Leone Cricket Association (SLCA) has appointed Mustapha Kallon to lead the National Men’s Team as its designated Local Coach for the period of five months, beginning August 1st till December 31st, 2021. Coach Mustapha will set the Patriots in motion for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier Group B in Kigali, Rwanda from October to November this year.
From the warming up track to a superseding height, Coach Kallon has peddled defining ideas through the levels- the levels on the highs, the levels on the lows- much to the throws and bowling blows. So he knows it all, less to the dimming fall.
On track, Coach Kallon started his coaching career in 2008. After asserting his exemplary skills, he was put in charge of the Under-15 male side in 2010 to face off with Nigeria for the North West U15 Tournament. The conqueror led the locals to the golden cup, triumphantly becoming the champions in that cross-border showpiece.
That Nigeria glory brought him a major go-getting prospect; he earned a befitting promotion to become the Head Coach of the Under-19 male team. Straight to work, he took the Under-19 team to Uganda for the U19 Division 1 ICC Tournament.
“Counting my experience, I was later appointed to serve as the Technical Coach of the Under-19 team. We promoted the team from Division 2 to Division 1,” he said.
In later years, he served as the Assistant Coach for the Senior Men’s Team for two years and assisted the very side against the MCC in 2019. Coach Mustapha Kallon is a certified Level 2 coach with thirteen-year experience on the coaching front both at home and abroad.
Responding to the new task, Coach Kallon said he feels honoured to be appointed the Local Head Coach for the Sierra Leone Senior Men’s Team.
“And I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Cricket Association. I will forever be grateful,” he added.
From the day he will assume role, Coach Kallon said he was looking forward to improving the performance of the players, ensuring discipline and moving the team to greater heights.