Sports

Barbados To Host Regional & International Triathlon Events

Barbados is poised to welcome the global triathlon community as it hosts two international and one regional triathlon events this year.

This was revealed during the launch of the 2024 Barbados Triathlon Calendar, at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s headquarters, One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, emphasised the significance of these events for sports tourism, as he acknowledged the efforts of the past and present executive of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) in organising three upcoming events.

They are the World Triathlon Americas Cup on March 17; the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup and Training Camp from July 2 to 7; and the CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon, and Mixed Relays Championships from August 17 to 18.

Mr. Griffith underscored the importance of collaboration between the past and present leadership for sports development, praising BFIT as one of the proactive federations on the island.

“I want to first congratulate the former executive and the current executive for being one of the proactive federations on island. The fact that … the former president is sitting with the current executive to help point the way is absolutely something that is important as it relates to the development of sports on island,” he said.

He highlighted Government’s vision to cultivate talent from grassroots levels and expand participation to achieve podium finishes, stating: “It is important that if we’re going to grow any sports that we move from the grassroots level, and broaden the base, so that we can have the podium finishes….”

Minister Griffith also spoke of Government’s commitment to supporting talent identification by providing equipment and infrastructure.

“Government is prepared to assist, maybe a little further, in sourcing some junior bicycles, so that that particular demographic will not be disadvantaged. And, if we can put that in place, then you create your database, and in five years’ time, you’re able to then identify those individuals who you believe can transition into the national programme.”

The upcoming triathlon events are expected to attract nearly 300 participants, with some utilising them as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games, including Barbadian hopeful Matthew Wright.

Others attending today’s launch included President of BFIT, Garth McIntyre; PR and Marketing Officer BFIT, Ytannia Wiggins; Secretary General of the Barbados Olympic Association, Erskine Simmons; and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s Manager of Sports, Kamal Springer. (PR/GIS)

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.