An amateur cricket team from South London in the United Kingdom, The Believers Cricket Club, is set to face The Gambia national team come November as the West African nation marks 100 years of the sport in the country.
Set up by players rejected by their national teams, Believers’ team captain Ben Geffen says the club exists because of members’ sheer love for cricket, not because they excel at the game.
The team he said, “is made up of friends who didn’t quite make the cut for their local sides”, but for the love of the game, came together and created their own team to pursue their passion, “not because they were ready, but they couldn’t imagine giving up”, Geffen explained.
After what he described as “brave, hard-fought losses to local teams”, the captain of the underdog team had a “wild idea”; to dream even bigger. He then reached out to dozens of countries around the world requesting for a match. Many ignored their request, but “out of the blue”, The Gambia responded positively.
The British High Commissioner in Banjul will host the match in collaboration with the Gambian Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
“It’s a fascinating time for cricket in The Gambia — especially following their recent match against Zimbabwe, which saw the highest T20 score in history,” said Geffen.
The team’s journey to The Gambia, Geffen explained, offers a rare opportunity to showcase amateur cricket on an international stage, inspire local youth, and promote cultural exchange. The match, he said, will create lasting connections between two diverse communities and put the spotlight on The Gambia’s cricket development, helping grow the sport in both nations.
The unique event will be captured in a compelling documentary, which the Believers are seeking funds to support its production.
“We’re hoping the film can help shine a light on cricket in Africa, and maybe even contribute to building something lasting in The Gambia,” Geffen told NewsWatch Cameroon.
Away from the cricket oval, the London cricketers plan to bring spare kit, which are “badly needed” by local players, and run a cricket session in a local school during their stay in The Gambia.
“Beyond promoting sport and tourism, we hope to inspire others to pursue what they love and make a difference in their own way, however big or small,” Geffen said.
