Sports

2024 Road Tennis Open Launched With New Scoring Software

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, is pleased about the recently developed Courtside Software that will be used in the Barbados Road Tennis Open 2024.

Mr. Griffith, who was speaking at the launch of the Road Tennis event, along with the software, in the Training Room at his Ministry, said the introduction of the software marks another significant milestone in the development of the island’s indigenous sport.

The software tool offers real-time scoring, performance analytics, and a user-friendly interface, making it an essential asset for players, coaches, and enthusiasts alike.

Noting that the Courtside Software was developed in Barbados, he said: “I’ve always been preaching that technology should be embedded in our sports, in terms of not only video analysis, but using technology to better the game and to have our athletes rise to a different level.”

Nathan Agard, of Riveting Media Inc., who developed the software noted that traditionally road tennis scoring had been a manual process, which was often prone to errors and lacked detailed performance insights.

“This outdated method can be slow and unreliable, hampering the competitive nature and enjoyment of the game. Courtside software aims to revolutionise the sport by providing accurate and instant scoring, thereby reducing disputes, and enhancing the overall experience,” he said.

Mr. Agard stated that one of the key advantages of the Courtside Software is its ability to gather and analyse performance metrics. He added that this data-driven approach offers valuable insights into strengths and areas for improvement, helping players and coaches refine their strategies.

The 2024 Barbados Road Tennis Open is set to commence on July 28 and run until September 22, with matches taking place at Belfield, Black Rock, St. Michael; Bush Hall, St. Michael; Gall Hill, St. John; and Diamond Corner, St. Peter.

The weekly schedule will be released with locations throughout the community, with the semi-finals and finals to be played at the Wildey Gymnasium. Online registration may be done at www.roadtennisopen.com. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Sports Minister, Charles Griffith is all smiles at the launch of the Barbados Road Tennis Open (BRTO) 2024. He is joined by (from left to right) 2023 BRTO Women’s Champion, Sheldene Walrond; partners Neil Corbin of NPure Water Filtration Inc.; and Paulette Jones of Nation News Barbados; and 2023 BRTO Men’s Champion, Mark ‘Venom’ Griffith.

Sports

BARBADOS WINS CWI RISING STARS UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP

by David Harris

Defending champions Barbados defeated Guyana by 44 runs to retain their title in Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-19 Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua on Wednesday.

Needing to avoid defeat in their fifth and final match of the tournament to clinch the title, the Barbadian lads scored 209 for eight wickets, before bowling out Guyana for 160 in 45.3 overs.

Barbados were wobbling at 71 for four wickets, after winning the toss and opting to bat. Captain Justin Parris made an attractive 38 runs from 40 balls, the left-handed batsman struck five fours, but his dismissal in the sixteenth over left Barbados in a precarious position. Seth Smith (47) and Rajeev Parsooram (21) repaired the early damage with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 61 runs, before Parsooram was dismissed by left-arm pacer Brandon Henry.

After Parsooram’s wicket fell; Smith added 40 vital runs for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj Persaud who made 19, Smith’s rearguard inning ended innings ended when he was dismissed by Henry in the 43rd over, the wicketkeeper/ batsman faced 75 balls and counted four boundaries. Asher Brandford 18 and Zarell Harding 15 not out ensured that Barbados posted a total over 200 runs.

Medium pacer Reyaz Laif took three wickets for 34 runs, he was supported by fast bowler Usain Fredericks two wickets for 53 runs,, and Henry who picked up two wickets for 24 runs.

Chasing 210 for victory, Guyana slumped to 55 for five wickets in the 17^th over as the Bajan bowlers took early wickets; but a defiant knock of 50 runs from Henry briefly give the Guyanese hope. Henry faced 88 balls and lead a lower resistance that saw Guyana to 156 for eight wickets before he was bowled by Parsooram. After Henry was dismissed Guyana’s innings ended quickly.

Brandford captured three wickets for 19 runs with his medium pace; he was supported by fellow medium pacers Joshua Thomas and Parsooram with two wickets for 35 runs and 19 runs respectively, while Parris picked up two wickets with his leg-spin.

Sports

JAYDEN WINS GOLD AT CARIFTA GAMES

by David Harris

Jayden Green captured Barbados’ lone gold medal at the 52nd CARIFTA Games which ended at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Mucrapo, Trinidad on Monday night. The 17-year-old student of the Christ Church Foundation School won the Under-20 Boys’ 200 metres at the three -day track and field meeting in 20,93 seconds ahead of Jamaicans Tyreece Foreman (20.95) and Junior Galimore (21.01); Green is the first Barbadian to win the event since Mario Burke in 2015.

The rest of team collected five silver and eight bronze medals with several athletes recording personal best. Barbados won 14 medals at the games, their best performance since the 2016 Games in Grenada where they won 20 medals.

Sports

GET READY FOR THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES

Calendar lists all the events from May to September 2025

NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES field events will begin on Saturday, May 31, at Queen’s College, Husbands, St. James, while the road races, involving running, cycling, walking, and skating, will take place on Sunday, June 1, on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Monday, June 9, will see the culmination of the track events at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.