Captain of the Barbados Royals Rovman Powell is upbeat ahead of his team encounter with Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the first match in the Barbados’ leg Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which bowls off tonight at 7 pm at Kensington Oval. 

The Royals are second position after winning their first two matches in the tournament; they were triumphant against the Falcons by nine wickets in their opening match against the Falcons at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, and narrowly defeated St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by two wickets at Warner Park in St Kitts. 

Despite the Royals overwhelming victory against the Falcons, in their first encounter, Powell says that his team will not be complacent in tonight’s match. 

“The mood in the camp is very good, we have started with two wins on the road, it is now an opportunity for us in our home games to get a few more wins, but we will not be complacent”, Powell told journalists at Kensington Oval on Tuesday evening. 

Powell, who is also the captain of the West Indies T20 team stressed the importance of home matches for the Royals. 

” All of the home games are important and when you go on your own ground, you must dominate. It’s always good when you win at home because that sets the tone for the competition. It’s a short competition and we started well, therefore; it will be good to have a few wins at home”, he explained.    

According to Powell, the team is at full strength and the pitch at the Oval is in top condition and will not be affected by the rain which fell earlier in the week. 

“It is in one of the better conditions that I have seen in Barbados, we had a training camp here before the start of the CPL and the practice wickets were good, and the guys told me that the wickets in the middle were good. So hopefully we will have a good wicket on Wednesday night”, Powell said. 

The captain said that the Barbadian public had supported the Royals well in the last two years and the matches at Kensington Oval against the Falcons, the Patriots, Trinibago Knight Riders, and the defending champions the Guyana Amazons Warriors give them another opportunity to come out and support the Barbados based franchise. 

 “We are going to do our utmost best to entertain our fans in the matches at the Oval”. Powell said.  

Barbados’ shooting teams won two of the four team events and several individual gold medals at the Barbados Rifle Association Regional Shooting Standoff, held over the weekend.

This year’s International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Level 3 competition ran from August 30 to September 1, marking the 10th anniversary of the Smoking Barrel series. It was held at the Barbados Rifle Association range, Paragon, Christ Church.

Regional Director, IPSC Barbados and Chief Range Officer, Dr. Kevin Grant said: “The 10th anniversary of the Smoking Barrel competition is a significant milestone for us. Our journey began in 2010, and over the years, we’ve seen the sport grow in Barbados and across the region.

“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we were determined to bring this event back in 2024, and the overwhelming support we’ve received from participants around the world has made it all worthwhile.”

The event featured 15 challenging stages and attracted top shooters from across the globe, including participants from Jamaica, Colombia, the UK, the United States, Trinidad, Guyana, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Suriname. Barbados was represented by a strong contingent of skilled competitors, who showcased their talents on home soil.

“Barbados has a proud tradition in shooting sports, and our team is fully committed to upholding our nation’s reputation. While some of our counterparts from other regions have had more opportunities to practise, we remain confident in our abilities … in the various divisions, both individually and as a team,” the Chief Range Officer noted, as he spoke with the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).

Dr. Grant also called for greater support from the Government and corporate sector, emphasising the potential of shooting sports as a form of sports tourism. He said: “Shooting is an Olympic discipline, and it’s time we invested in promoting Barbados as a prime destination for international shooting competitions by investing financially and marketing our brand effectively. We can elevate the sport and create opportunities for Barbadian athletes to compete on the Olympic stage.”

Barbados took first place in the Standard Division Teams Challenge. The members included Gerald Gill, Richard Durant, Dexter Williams and Ryan Hunte. Second place went to St. Lucia.

In the Production Optics Division Teams Challenge, Barbados came second. The team included Cliff Roett, Ryan Best and Nicholas Branker. Jamaica was the winning team.

In the Production Division Teams Challenge, first place went to Barbados. The team comprised Adrian Marshall, Dennis Bellamy, Gregory Wood and Kevin Sealy.  Jamaica came second. 

The Open Division Teams champions were the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, followed by Barbados, while third place went to Jamaica. (PR/GIS)

Caption: First place winning team for Barbados, Production Division, Kevin Sealy; Adrian Marshall; Dennis Bellamy and Gregory Wood.

The Prime Minister’s Cup was officially launched at Friendship Ground, Hothersal Turning, St. Michael, earlier this week, with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley emphasizing its potential to foster not only athletic excellence but also social and economic opportunities for the community.

Delivering an inspiring speech in front of hundreds of fans, she encouraged participating teams to seize the moment.

Ms. Mottley told players in the first match between Deacons Football Club and Parish Land: “You have the opportunity to prove yourselves as credible football players. This field is more than just a place for sport; it’s a platform for creating opportunities whether it’s for yourselves, the vendors supporting their families, or the broader community.”

Emphasis on teamwork

Highlighting the multifaceted benefits of the tournament, Prime Minister Mottley underscored the importance of teamwork and financial responsibility. “By working together as a team, you set a goal and work towards it. This tournament isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about making you stronger, better citizens of Barbados. Those who are untrained or unemployed let us help you find a path forward to provide for yourselves and your families,” she stated.

She also stressed the importance of setting and achieving goals, both on and off the field. “If you’re scoring goals here, you better understand when I say it’s about setting a goal and having a plan to achieve it. The financial literacy and other programmess we’ve implemented are designed to elevate you to victory, both individually and as a team,” noted PM Mottley.

Acknowledging that the tournament sets the tone for sportsmanship and community spirit, she reminded the participants: “We will enjoy good sportsmanship, but we will not tolerate any foolishness. If issues arise, we will address them immediately.”

The Prime Minister’s Cup is part of a broader initiative to create opportunities for Barbadians across various sports, including road tennis, cricket, netball, and motorsports. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Mottley said, “after three years of shutdown, the time has come for us to lift the game and create opportunities for ourselves.”

Tournament to be used to empower and create opportunities

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the tournament would not only uplift the community but also empower participants to explore opportunities beyond Barbados. “I hope and pray that some of you will start to support your families through this tournament. The world is your oyster, and it’s not only about what you can achieve here, but also about empowering people to see possibilities for you elsewhere in the world,” she emphasised.

In closing, she announced plans for a Master’s game at the end of the tournament, aimed at providing additional training and growth opportunities for the players. “Set the goal, meet the goal, and let us be successful in the Prime Minister’s Cup,” she urged, expressing her anticipation for the tournament and the grand finale on November 30. 

The Prime Minister’s Cup has a top prize of $100,000 and other prizes. It is aimed at exposing  players to financial literacy and other skills to elevate them.

Eighty-nine matches will be played by 24 teams, across the island. 

The tournament continues tonight with Wotton vs Paradise and Pride of Gall Hill vs Whitehall Titans, at Gall Hill, St, John. (PR/GIS)