DILI — The Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) has reached an initial infrastructure benchmark in its project to build the country’s first National Cricket Academy, completing construction of the site’s official toilet facilities.
The completion of the sanitation block marks the first functional phase of the development plan. According to project updates, administrative and construction teams are now advancing to the next phases of development, which include pitch preparation, training nets, and utility integrations.
Establishing a dedicated National Cricket Academy remains a core pillar of TLCB’s strategic roadmap to expand domestic cricket operations. Once fully operational, the facility will provide a permanent hub for national squad training, youth development programs, and community coaching initiatives.
TLCB confirmed that additional structural work and site processing will continue in scheduled phases over the coming months.
BRISBANE / ADELAIDE — Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) Chairman and Head Coach Dr. Muhammad Tayyeb Javed, alongside General Secretary Mariana Dias Ximenes, have represented the nation at the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) Coach Tutor Course held in Brisbane, Australia.
The high-level educational initiative brings together key cricket administrators and coaches across the East Asia-Pacific region to earn official certification as ICC Coach Tutors. The training equips participants with advanced methodologies to train, accredit, and mentor local grassroots coaches, creating a sustainable development pathway back home in Timor-Leste.
Following the completion of the intensive program in Brisbane, the leadership delegation traveled to Adelaide for a series of external strategic meetings. The engagements focused on strengthening bilateral relationships, securing administrative support, and building long-term partnerships with local Australian cricket bodies and community organizations.
“Participating in the ICC Coach Tutor Course and engaging with the vibrant Australian cricket network marks a significant milestone for our development roadmap,” TLCB leadership shared. “These opportunities allow us to return home with international best practices to elevate our national coaching framework and grass-roots player development.”
The knowledge and formal qualifications gained during this Australian tour will directly enhance TLCB’s ongoing national initiatives, including community youth leagues and school outreach programs across East Timor.
For updates on national development programs and upcoming fixtures, visit tlcb.net.
This video highlights how the ICC Coach Tutor initiative develops accredited regional trainers to expand grassroots cricket education across national boards: COACH TUTORS TRAINED
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DILI — The Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) has received a priceless addition to its sporting heritage: a 30-year-old cricket bat bearing the autograph of Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman.
The historic artifact was formally presented to TLCB representatives during their recent tour to Adelaide, South Australia. The presentation was made on behalf of the Vitalstatistix Theatre Company by Catherine Fitzgerald alongside her partner, Pat Rix.
This gesture highlights the growing cross-border bond and deep community backing behind the development of cricket in East Timor. The delegation expressed immense gratitude for the hospitality shown throughout their trip, extending special thanks to Catherine Fitzgerald, Pat Rix, Sister Jen, Sandra Dann, Melanie Carter, and Jane Lowe from the Kensington Cricket Club for their warm reception and continuous support.
“This wonderful and historic gift will always be a very special memory of our visit to Adelaide and the friendship we received from the local cricket community,” TLCB stated in an official release.
The acquired bat will serve as a centerpiece of inspiration for young Timorese athletes as the board continues to build grass-roots programs across the nation.
For further updates and details on upcoming initiatives, visit tlcb.net.
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TIMOR-LESTE SPORTS DESK — Excitement is building in the sporting community as official online registrations open for the highly anticipated Timor-Leste Super League 2026. Organized under the Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB), this flagship tournament will be played in the thrilling T20 format and marks a major milestone for local and international sporting talent.
📰 Official Announcement: Registrations Now Live
The organizing committee has extended an open invitation to both male and female players across all skill levels to step up and participate. Designed to elevate cricket development and showcase regional talent, the T20 tournament serves as a key platform for emerging athletes.
Participants are encouraged to submit their applications promptly before the registration window closes.
🔑 Key Details & Schedule
Tournament Format: T20 Format
Tournament Start Date: September 26, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 10, 2026
Eligible Participants: Male & Female Players
🔗 How to Register
To submit your application or view full tournament requirements, complete your entry on the official registration page below:
LIQUIÇÁ, TIMOR-LESTE — In a major breakthrough for the development of sports infrastructure in Southeast Asia, the Chairman of Timor-Leste Cricket recently conducted a crucial site inspection at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Liquiçá to evaluate the ongoing construction scenario.
Progress on the state-of-the-art high-performance training facility has reached a pivotal 50% completion milestone. Officials confirmed that the Kobe House accommodation is fully finished and ready for immediate use, while the construction of essential on-site toilet facilities is moving at a rapid pace, with completion locked in for this coming Sunday.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the academy’s future operations, a dedicated borewell drilling team is currently working on-site, prioritizing the location of a reliable underground water source.
Liquica Cricket Academy Construction Work is being observed by the Chairman Cricket Timor-Leste.
The remaining infrastructure works are projected to take between 20 to 25 working days, depending on local weather conditions. Timor-Leste Cricket is aggressively targeting September 2026 for the official commencement of operational activities. Once fully operational, the NCA will serve as the premier hub for nurturing young talent, providing coach and umpire education, and hosting both domestic and international training camps.
Partner With Us: A Blueprint for Donors
As Timor-Leste Cricket approaches the final stretch of this historic build, international donors, corporate sponsors, and cricket enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. Contributions at this critical stage will directly fund the finalization of essential training infrastructure, high-performance equipment, and grassroots youth development programs. By investing in the NCA, donors are not just building facilities—they are empowering the next generation of athletes and anchoring the long-term growth of cricket across the nation.
To explore partnership opportunities or make a direct contribution to this landmark project, please contact the Timor-Leste Cricket Board Officials today to discuss how you can help bring this vision to life.
Call to Action: Stay updated on the final phases of this historic sports build! Share this report with your network, and if you or your organization are ready to support the future of cricket in Southeast Asia, reach out to the Timor-Leste Cricket Board Officials today to find out how you can contribute to the NCA project.
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE — In a major milestone for the growth of local sports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially recognized the development of women’s cricket in Timor-Leste. A special video spotlight highlighting the country’s recent celebrations for “ICC Women’s Cricket Week” has been uploaded to the official global ICC website.
The feature, published during the ongoing 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup global celebrations, showcases how the sport is taking root across diverse communities. The video captures the immense passion, energy, and talent of young Timorese girls and women discovering the game through the ICC’s grassroots criiio program.
This global spotlight stands as a testament to the hard work of the Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB), which has been pushing to make cricket accessible to every citizen. From its humble roots of children playing with handmade cardboard bats to structured tournaments like the Women’s Empowerment Cricket League (WECL), the progress has caught the eye of cricket’s highest governing body.
“Seeing our players recognized on the official ICC platform is an incredibly proud moment for TLCB and the entire nation,” a board representative shared. “It proves that despite our current infrastructure challenges, the unbreakable spirit of our athletes is shining through on the world stage.”
The recognition comes at a perfect time as TLCB continues its mission to establish the country’s first international-standard National Cricket Academy in Liquiçá. For fans and supporters eager to see the visual journey of how cricket is transforming lives across our districts, the full feature is available to watch under the global spotlight on the ICC website.
LIQUIÇÁ, TIMOR-LESTE — Construction on the historic National Cricket Academy grounds in Liquiçá has been processing steadily over the past few months. Now, the project has reached a critical turning point.
Faced with a severe water shortage that threatened to stall the development of the pitch and facility, the Chairman of Cricket Timor-Leste has stepped up to personally launch and fund a new water bore facility on the academy grounds.
Overcoming Roadblocks to Progress
While structural building work has moved forward over the last few months, a major hurdle remained: a reliable water supply. Fresh water is absolutely essential not only to sustain construction and complete the buildings, but also to grow and maintain the turf grass needed for a professional playing pitch.
In an effort to keep the academy timeline on track, the Chairman took the personal initiative to dig and build the water bore facility. Strikingly, the Chairman is driving this vital project entirely by himself, taking on the logistical and financial responsibility without any prominent support from Timor-Leste government officials.
Built for the Future of Youth Sports
The National Cricket Academy in Liquiçá is being built to serve as the crown jewel of grassroots sports development in the country. Once complete, it will house hundreds of young boys and girls coming from the districts for high-level athletic training.
“We simply cannot afford to wait or let our momentum slow down,” a representative close to the construction site noted. “The Chairman saw that without water, the academy’s growth would stop. By establishing this bore system independently, he is ensuring that our kids will have a world-class field to play on, regardless of institutional delays.”
How You Can Help: A Appeal to Our Global Cricket Family
While the Chairman’s personal leadership has successfully broken ground on the water bore system, building an international-standard sports facility from scratch requires a collective community effort.
The Timor-Leste Cricket Board is an ambitious, grassroots organization striving to change lives through sport. To help us complete the main academy building, purchase safety equipment, and maintain our brand-new water infrastructure, we need your help.
Support the Dream: If you are a fan of cricket, a believer in youth development, or a business looking to make a lasting social impact, please consider donating to our academy project. Every cent goes directly toward creating a safe, empowering home for young Timorese athletes.
To find out how to make a secure donation, sponsor a youth player, or view live progress photos of the construction, please visit tlcb.net/donate.
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE — Today, Sunday, June 21, 2026, the Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) celebrated a major milestone for women’s sports. The board hosted the grand finale of a week-long cricket festival right here in the capital city of Dili.
This event was part of a global celebration. All around the world, cricket boards joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) to honor female athletes. The TLCB spent the entire week traveling to different towns and villages across Timor-Leste to introduce the game. Today, those efforts ended with a massive and joyful gathering in Dili.
A Historic Celebration of Women’s Cricket Week
The highlight of the day was the incredible turnout. A huge crowd of women and young girls completely filled the sports grounds in Dili. It was one of the largest gatherings of female athletes the country has ever seen.
From young primary school students to older teenagers, hundreds of passionate players came together. The atmosphere was filled with non-stop cheering, laughter, and a strong sense of community.
Fun and Active Cricket Training
To help everyone learn the sport, TLCB coaches and trainers turned the festival into a fun academy. The participants were divided into different groups depending on their experience:
The Batting Zone: Brand-new players learned how to hold the bat properly, stand correctly, and hit the ball.
The Bowling Station: Trainers taught the basic steps of overarm bowling, focusing on how to throw straight and hit the wickets.
Agility Drills: Fast and exciting catching games helped the girls improve their reflexes and teamwork.
After practicing these skills, the players formed teams and played short, high-energy matches against each other.
Building a Strong Future for Girls in Sport
By joining this global ICC event, the Timor-Leste Cricket Board is opening new doors for women and girls in sports. School teachers and community leaders attended the event to show their support, praising the board for giving young women a safe and encouraging place to stay healthy and active.
“We spent the whole week traveling to different spots, but seeing this massive crowd of girls playing cricket together in Dili today is amazing,” a senior TLCB official said at the closing ceremony. “Today proves that women’s cricket has a bright future in Timor-Leste. We will keep supporting these players by creating new school leagues and regular training programs.”
As this global week comes to a close, the Timor-Leste Cricket Board is proud of the momentum they have built and is ready to help the next generation of female cricket heroes grow.
CRIBAS, MANATUTO — In continuation of its aggressive youth development campaign across the districts, the Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) successfully conducted a targeted youth training session today, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the local school in Cribas, Manatuto.
The high-energy event forms a key part of the board’s ongoing nationwide training series designed to lock in the growing momentum established during initial exhibition matches earlier this season.
Refining Skills at the Grassroots
Moving past basic introductions, today’s training module gave local school students a more comprehensive look into structured cricket tactics. TLCB development officers and regional facilitators divided the enthusiastic students into specialized, rotating groups focused on expanding their physical fitness and hand-eye coordination.
Key Highlights of the Session:
Strategic Venue: Hosted on-site at the school in Cribas, Manatuto, on June 10, 2026.
Targeted Curriculum: Advanced instruction on batting grip, directional hitting, and bowling arm positioning.
Continuing Education: Part of a structured, multi-week training pipeline deployed by the national board.
Solidifying the Sport Outside Dili
By maintaining a consistent presence in Cribas, the Timor-Leste Cricket Board is proving that its regional expansion goals are built on sustainability rather than one-off events. Local educators heavily praised the coaching staff for bringing structured physical activity back to the school ground, emphasizing how well the teamwork and discipline of cricket translate into the classroom.
The natural athletic instincts of the Cribas youth were on full display during the afternoon’s match simulations, with coaches noting significant improvement in game awareness compared to last month’s preliminary drills.
“We promised the community of Manatuto that our first visit was just the beginning,” a TLCB development official noted at the conclusion of the session. “Returning to Cribas School allows us to monitor individual player growth and keep these kids actively engaged. This ongoing training series is precisely how we discover the future national team stars who will one day proudly wear our country’s colors.”
As the training series rolls forward into the winter months, the TLCB plans to expand its school-based network even further, ensuring cricket equipment and professional guidance remain accessible to youth across the country.
For schedule updates on the next stops in the TLCB Regional Training Series, visit the official hub at tlcb.net.
BEBONUK, DILI — The fields of Eskola Centro Shallom Bebonuk were transformed into a sea of vibrant energy on Saturday, May 30, 2026, as the Timor-Leste Cricket Board (TLCB) proudly hosted the highly anticipated 3rd Edition of the Criiio Cup.
Building on the foundation laid by previous tournaments, this year’s landmark event proved to be a spectacular celebration of youth sports, community, and the unstoppable growth of cricket across the nation.
A Spectacular Turnout of Passionate Youth
From early morning, an overwhelming wave of enthusiastic boys and girls packed the venue, creating an electric atmosphere filled with non-stop cheering and laughter. The scale of participation was a breathtaking sight, with children from all backgrounds stepping onto the pitch to embrace the “Criiio” spirit.
Rather than focusing on numbers, the true story of the day was written in the sheer density of the crowd—a massive assembly of young Timorese athletes waiting eagerly for their turn at the crease, showcasing an unprecedented level of interest in the sport.
Schools Unite Across the District
The 3rd Edition achieved its massive scale thanks to an incredible cross-school collaboration. A wide network of different primary and secondary schools from across Dili and surrounding areas rallied together, sending large delegations of students to participate.
The camaraderie between the different school institutions was a major highlight, as rivalries were set aside in favor of shared learning, teamwork, and mutual respect under the guidance of TLCB coaches and facilitators.
Unleashing the Cricket Spirit
The festival kept the endless crowds of children constantly engaged with a variety of specialized mini-games, high-energy batting drills, and fast-paced matches. Because the “Criiio” format relies on accessible, user-friendly equipment, every child present—regardless of prior experience—got the opportunity to feel the thrill of hitting a ball or taking a wicket.
“Seeing this venue completely overflow with joyful children from so many different schools is a historic moment for us,” noted a senior TLCB coordinator at the close of the day. “The 3rd Edition of the Criiio Cup has shattered all expectations. It proves that cricket is no longer just being introduced to Timor-Leste—it is being passionately claimed by the next generation.”
As the sun set over Bebonuk, the echoing cheers of the massive crowd left no doubt that the annual Criiio Cup has solidified its place as one of the most beloved and impactful youth sporting events in the country.
To find out if your school participated and to view our extensive photo galleries of the day, visit the official home of Timorese cricket at tlcb.net.