BARBADOS TRIDENTS RETURN

by David Harris

Barbados Royals will revert to their former name the Barbados Tridents in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, after the Government of Barbados and the Royals Sports Group (RSG) agreed in principle to the government becoming a minority co-investor in the franchise.

As a result of the agreement between the government and RSG, the Tridents once more be wearing Barbados’ nationals colours of ultramarine (blue), gold and black, instead of the pink kit they have been wearing since RGS acquired the franchise in 2021.

The historic three- year partnership between the government and RSG which is subject to regulatory approval is part of the One Barbados initiative which is intended to be part of a larger national movement; where the Tridents will serve as a beacon of national pride, reaffirming the franchise as a year-round national asset and introducing what is believed to be the first public -private partnership in elite franchise cricket.

In an official statement prime minister Mia Amor Mottley stressed the significance of the One Barbados partnership as the country prepares to celebrate 60 years of Independence.

“As Barbados marks its 60 th year of Independence, the One Barbados partnership encapsulates everything that we as a young nation have accomplished thus far. The return to the Barbados Tridents reflects our confidence, our pride and our ambition as a nation- as we begin to chart the path towards our next 60 years. Cricket has long been a core pillar of our national identity and self-determination. As such; it is incredibly fitting that through this partnership, we will see ourselves represented in our national colours, with a name that speaks to who we are,” Mottley said.

“We want to make sure that Barbados Tridents are at the heart of our national story- inspiring our young people, strengthening our global presence, and demonstrating how sports can serve the wider national interest. We welcome this innovating public- private partnership that presents a new model for collaboration between government and professional sports, as well as the commitment of the Royal Sports Group to Barbados, our people, and our future”, the prime minister added.

Lead owner of RSG Manoj Badale described the collaboration as a landmark public-private partnership in franchise cricket: ” One Barbados is a landmark partnership and we believe – a first of its kind in public -private collaboration in elite franchise cricket. It reflects our long-term belief in Barbados; not only as a cricketing powerhouse , but as a nation with deep global relevance across sports, tourism, investment and innovation”.

According to Badale, the partnership signifies RSG’s deepening commitment to Barbados and the CPL underpinned by ambition, long -term stability and a clear focus on success on and off the field.

“Relaunching the franchise as Barbados Tridents, playing in the national  colours is a powerful statement of pride and intent”, Badale said. “We remain fully committed to Barbados, the CPL and to one clear ambition; and sustain success with both the men’s and women’s CPL titles brought home to the island”.

The partnership between the government and RSG comes at a time when there appear to be a strain in the relationship between the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI).

In October last year when CWI revealed its schedule for the first-class and international seasons,  no matches were allocated to be played at Kensington Oval.

Last month while speaking at a press conference, president of the BCA and a director of the board of CWI criticized CWI’s decision to overlook the Oval venue for the first-class and international season.

Hope said the schedule was “appalling”, and extremely disappointing”, and voiced shock that was denied all four Test matches, six One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals against squads from Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

A couple of days after Hope’s media conference, Mottley said it was obvious that Barbados could not depend exclusively on CWI for cricketing opportunities; and explained that was one of the reasons the country had lobbied for the finals of the CPL to played at Kensington Oval on September 20 th.

“it was clear to us that we could not only rely on CWI for cricket in this country- and that is why we made a deliberate decision to go after the CPL finals here and be able to see what else we can do to boast the opportunities for Bajans in the entire game of cricket not just as players, but as umpires and persons who are involved in the ecosystem period”, Mottley said.