DILI, TIMOR-LESTE – In a powerful display of leadership, the General Secretary of Cricket Timor-Leste (CTL), Mariana Dias Ximenes, held a landmark meeting this week to review the federation’s progress and outline a bold vision for the nation’s youth.
Ximenes, a legendary long-distance runner who famously represented Timor-Leste in the women’s marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has brought her “international courage” and athletic tenacity to the boardroom. During the session, she presented a detailed report on the performance and grassroots activities that defined Timorese cricket in 2025.
2025: A Year of Historic Firsts
The General Secretary highlighted 2025 as a transformative year for the sport, marked by the nation’s official entry onto the international stage. Key achievements presented included:
- International Debut: Timor-Leste played its first-ever official T20 International matches in November 2025 during the Bali Bash International Rising East Asia Tri-Series.
- Youth Development: The expansion of cricket programs into schools, providing hundreds of Timorese youth with their first introduction to the game.
- World-Record Milestones: The emergence of local talent, including the historic debut of the first-ever father-son duo in international cricket (Suhail Sattar and Yahya Suhail), which brought global media attention to the country.
A Direct Plea to the Ministry
Despite the momentum, Ximenes was vocal about the hurdles facing the sport. Drawing on her experience as an Olympian, she sent a firm message to the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Culture (SEJD). She insisted that for the sport to move beyond its “infancy,” the government must provide substantial support for future games.
“I have carried our flag on the Olympic stage, and I know what it takes to compete globally,” Ximenes stated. “Our youth have shown incredible passion and resilience on the cricket field this year. However, passion alone is not enough. We demand that the Ministry stand with us to provide the infrastructure, equipment, and funding necessary to ensure Timor-Leste is not just a participant, but a competitor in the years to come.”
The Road Ahead
The meeting concluded with a showcase of the “Cricket in the Community” initiative, which aims to use the sport as a tool for discipline and teamwork among Timorese youth. With the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers and regional tournaments on the horizon, Ximenes emphasized that the window for investment is now.
The Timor-Leste Cricket Board remains hopeful that this appeal from one of the nation’s most respected sporting icons will trigger a new era of cooperation with the government.