Sports

CONCACAF Ready To Assist Football In Barbados

The Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), through its developmental arm, will be commencing a programme later this year to assist in supplying equipment to Barbados.

This was disclosed by CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani, during a recent courtesy call on Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

Mr. Montagliani, who took office in 2016, made note of the importance of football within the region. “Football plays a special role in the hearts of almost every population in CONCACAF. Obviously, it’s important to the people, especially for what it shows for the young people, in terms of an opportunity, not only from a health and wellness standpoint, but also aspirational,” he said.

CONCACAF’s Development Officer, Jason Roberts, will spearhead the programme that will aid in the supply of equipment. Mr. Roberts launched the community-based ‘Bigger Game’ programme, at the Barbados Wildey turf last year, which promoted women in sports by organising football festivals specifically designed for girls.

Mr. Griffith indicated that the Ministry would be grateful for contributions towards the improvement of sports in general, noting that the sports department had embarked on a series of programmes with the Barbados Football Association to facilitate certification of grassroots community coaches.

“The programme seeks to put coaches at the community level that are outside of our coaches programme at the National Sports Council, and outside of Mr. Harris’ (President of the Barbados Football Association) clubs.

“What we’re looking to do is to have that grassroots movement … starting at community levels. We are outfitting all of our playing fields with lights to ensure … that football will not stop at 4:30, that you can play up to nine o’clock. So, we’re doing what is necessary on the ground,” the Sports Minister stated.

President Montagliani said that a Convention, which will be ratified by CONCACAF, will have all coaches certified so they can seek employment in any territory within CONCACAF.

The two officials also discussed E-sport and its framework, assistance with identifying potential players and coaches, the CONCACAF Generation Amazing Programme, and the development of a sporting facility in the Dominican Republic. CONCACAF, which services 41 nations, was founded in its current form on September 18, 1961, in Mexico City, Mexico. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, receives a gift of a CONCACAF jersey from President, Victor Montagliani following their courtesy call at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall

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.