The lack of commitment to sports in Barbados is exemplified in a dilapidated National Stadium.
Two voting events caught the interest last week. First the election of a Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the announcement Olympian Obadele Thompson has thrown his hat in the ring to challenge for president of the Barbados Olympic Association.
It was reported Conde Riley was returned as president with 75 votes to narrowly fend off Calvin Hope 72 votes and Senator Gregory Nicholls 37 votes. A grand total of 184 votes were gathered between the three candidates. From all research the BCA registers a membership of close to three thousand members. At a time cricket is struggling to maintain its position as the preeminent sport in Barbados, less than 200 members showed the interest to vote for a president of the BCA.
Oba: A ruler of any of several African peoples of western Nigeria
Mariam Webster
—used as a form of address
The other related news was 2000 Olympian Obadele Thompson’s announcement to challenge for a director’s seat at the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA). What makes his decision interesting is the fact he lives in the United States of America. How does it reflect on the local talent Thompson feels compelled to contribute to the development of sports in Barbados via Zoom? In defense, we live in a Digital Age.
For many years the blogmaster has been encouraging sitting and former sports administrators to speak out on the challenges affecting local sports associations. As if analogous to what happens in the political sphere with the so called political directorate closing ranks, so too similar occurs with local sporting officials. There is the common occurrence of the same faces rotating every year through the different positions. Also a common occurrence is the poor governance resulting in non performance.
The blogmaster grew up in an era Barbados – a tiny island -represented itself proudly on the regional and international arena. We dominated volleyball on the regional front and were not too far behind Jamaica and Trinidad in netball. In football we held our own against Trinidad and Jamaica and international touring teams feared playing the Barbados cricket team. Table tennis, draughts, cycling, horse racing and several ‘minor’ sports we were competitive outside of Barbados. In recent years there has been a precipitous decline in the performance of local sports while other countries in our peer group have leapfrogged us. The question is why.
The simple answer is without a smart plan and adequate resources, we will continue on a path to nowhere. There is no national sports program although promised by successive ministers of sport. The lack of commitment to sports in Barbados is exemplified in a dilapidated National Stadium. It is difficult to believe a renaissance in sporting fortune is possible anytime soon. The failing economic fortunes of Barbados guarantees that the big ticket interest like education, housing and health priorities will attract the bulk of the national budget. Then there is declining interest by an apathetic and cynical public to become to volunteer which is required at the grassroots level especially to breath life into sporting activity. It is true to say community practitioners like Hamilton Lashley et al are a dying breed.
There is the saying we are what we eat. Our non performing national sports culture reflects the type of society we have become. It is doing the little things that make the big works happen. A small island 21×14 cannot afford to grow an impersonal culture. The group that stands to lose the most is the youth. We are are not building a better society if we continue to block pathways that give our youth hope. We need bold leadership to emerge from all areas of society, political, non governmental/civic.
“At a time cricket is struggling to maintain its position as the preeminent sport in Barbados, less than 200 members showed the interest to vote for a president of the BCA.”
@ David
What did you expect?
And, I’ll bet many of the members weren’t ‘financial,’ and therefore couldn’t vote, which is usually the norm.
By now you should have also been aware that, more often than not, many members of these sports organizations in Barbados, prefer to be involve impressive displays of ceremonial grandeur.
In other words, they tend to be more closely associated with official ceremonies and formal events.
‘Pomp and pageantry.’
Every Olympics, the Barbados Olympics Association (BOA), has a ‘large entourage of officials’ accompanying athletes to the Games.
But, the returns, relative to medals, are poor……and therefore questions the capabilities of those officials, athletic administrators, coaches etc.
Barbados football ⚽️ also comes to mind.
Randy Harris has been President of the Barbados Football Association (BFA), since 2012, after three (3) consecutive terms.
Other than his personal accomplishments of being elected vice-president of CONCACAF, 1st vice president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and subsequently president, football in Barbados isn’t going anywhere under Harris’ presidency.
The domestic tournaments continue to be poor, while the national team continues to struggle at the regional and international levels.
But, Harris seems to have established himself as the Bajan Austin ‘Jack’ Warner.
@Artax
Was it late Minister of Education who despite the weight of a government ministry refused to step down as Barbados Football Association? If the association was performing well one might have understood but like you said, there were sweets to be had. In the process these so-called volunteers continue to shortchange our youth.
“There is no national sports program although promised by successive ministers of sport.”
@ David
In MY OPINION, formulating a ‘national sports program’ is a task beyond any sports minister.
Such an endeavour should be a COLLABORATIVE EFFORT involving ‘government,’ the national sports organizations, other stakeholders and special interests groups.
This is an arrangement that could be facilitated (provide the environment necessary for the process to occur)……
…… and coordinated (integrating the various plans through mutual discussion, exchange of ideas etc), by the National Sports Council (NSC).
The resulting program could be reviewed by the Minister, and taken through the Parliamentary process by him/her.
Unfortunately, however, ‘politicians’ have infiltrated many of these sporting bodies.
Although people have rights of freedom of expression and to take part in the conduct of public affairs or freely associate with any political party of their choice……
…… a problem ARISES when they are UNABLE to SEPARATE political posturing, biases and relationships from sports administration.
For example, in George Street, Hammie Lah was instrumental in organizing the David Thompson Memorial Football Classic Tournament, while Randy Harris, on the eve of BFA elections, was involved in organising the LIME Pelican Challenge for Roebuck Street.
There is president of a particular Association who calls the ‘call-in-programme’ infrequently, to support the BLP.
I believe sports should be apolitical and neutral.
But, in reality, it is intricately enmeshed within the larger socio-political context in which all sporting activities operate.
@Artax
Politics will always be present. What must be also present are like minded individuals in enough numbers to ensure the mandate of the associations are carried out.
@David and @Artax, both of you have spoken clear truisms of our current situation so I merely add the pragmatic.
re BCA: I am fairly sure @David that the numbers you noted were not dramatically different over the last many years. Yes there were times when high publicity brought out more members (e.g. when the late Stephen A and later Joel Garner were vying for presidency) to the AGMs but in the main what you said about “recycling of posts” was true … even going back to when Capt. Short was BCA Pres for it seemed forever and a day !!
I focus on BCA as I more familiar there so I know that the current president has been a board member in some capacity for now well over 25 years. Realistically, as a counter point to your thesis, he can say that he has been involved in exciting developments and growth during that time (and indeed big disappointments too: BCL dying comes to mind).
I say all that to simply note that many have sat for a long time in positions (at BCA and other orgs: like late Lisle Austin at BOA) but that NEVER stopped development and exciting changes!
Alas, change is a constant in life and whereas there was a time for the BCL or the Christ Church or St. Peter Football League, current life dynamics have seen such community based orgs fade away.
As you asked: ‘WHY is that’, and what you didn’t’ ask, ‘have the replacements been suitable ‘, is the bothersome question!
BTW, I smiled at your remark that: “In football we held our own against Trinidad and Jamaica…”. Fah trute!
Brother, I don’t think we did that EVER since about before mid 1980s: T&T always tended to beat us since then… even when we played relatively well. I was quite an avid football fan too back in that era and travelled to watch the team of ‘Cracker’ and ‘Gas’ and Jerry Goddard and all that, so I recall that we invariably got beaten by those two teams.
Basically the same happened in hockey: we performed creditably but T&T always seemed to be a goal better!
But anyhow although administrators recycled endlessly, every once and a while there would be a ‘revolution’ (for example when the Conrad Hunter regime was expected to be a wonderful long term period of development and when Stephen took over after his death) so if Oba’s new quest is such a wonderful possible change then more power to him!
@Dee Word
The state was that we held our own, compare to recent years of what is a precipitous decline. No excuses are necessary.
And none made. There is no dispute re the “precipitous decline”.
It shockingly amazing – even accepting the much larger population size – that Jamaica men and women make it to the World Cup and we can’t even get to a CONCACAF final round!
Things dread in sports with much more dreadfulness ahead!
“I was quite an avid football fan too back in that era and travelled to watch the team of ‘Cracker’ and ‘Gas’ and Jerry Goddard and all that……”
@ de pendantic Dribbler
Similarly, during the mid 1980s, I was an avid football fan as well.
Blackspurs was my home team.
Football progressively went to the stage that we used to call it ‘kick up,’ and eventually lost interest in the game.
Another popular game of that era was basketball 🏀.
I remember the YMCA having standing room only, when teams such as Lumber Company Lakers and Double H Senators played.
If the game continued to near midnight, we would wait by the exit to see as much of it as we could, before running off to Lower Green to catch the ‘last bus.’
Nowadays, the crowds at basketball have dwindled significantly.
Times have changed.
Cable television sports channels bring games, live, to our living rooms.
There are more people at ‘Bubba’s’ or any other popular sports bar, watching US basketball, baseball or their version of football.
The Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA), is essentially competing with the USA’s NBA for ‘spectator support.’
I remember Saturday afternoons as a youngster, listening to ‘Sports Roundup’ on Reddifusion and hearing UK football scores.
World Cup soccer, as well as the various leagues played in the UK, Europe and South America, can also be viewed ‘live’ both in homes and sports bars.
I’m amazed at Barbadians’ ability to rattle off statistics of footballers from Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea etc.
Or, from Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Argentina and Netherlands.
They wear and display the teams’ jerseys and paraphernalia with pride.
I remember hearing one guy telling another, ‘I playing you tomorrow,’ only to find out afterwards, the former supports Liverpool, while the latter, Manchester City.
These guys also argue with each other as though they are personally associated with the teams they support.
How has such ‘outside influences’ and cable TV affected local sports?
@Artax
Barbadians always supported foreign teams, South Africa had the late King Dyall has one of its biggest fans. What it did not do was supplant support for local teams and better run associations.
@Artax
Have you observed the same poor management/governance has visited the credit unions? We have a societal rot that has take root – the question then is why are good men and women not steeping up?
Look Boss…
The problem with Sport in BBD is quite obvious, and can therefore be EASILY solved.
The Problem:
Too many incompetent persons in influential positions, who are there because it affords them the opportunities to gain ‘favors’ that their (in)competences would NOT be able to achieve in any other areas.
In short, there are too many parasites, and too few performers.
The Solution:
Apply the usual parasite cleanse.
Cranberry juice:
Identify each individual Sport Administrator, starting at the very top, and PUBLICLY (on BU) request that they answer specific questions related to their areas of responsibility, and respond to issues raised therefrom.
Those that refuse to respond would be appropriately noted and dealt with…
Jalapeno Peppers
Detailed PUBLIC account to be given for all results achieved after sports events, or in the absence of any meaningful organisation of the sport.
Again this to be a PUBLIC process.
Papaya Seeds
Publish the annual financial statements of EACH and EVERY sport organisation, and highlight those that are unavailable or in disarray. And make these subject to PUBLIC scrutiny and comment.
…after these initial treatments we would not even need any epazote or horseradish…..
Obadele Thompson did not seem to manage the affairs of Marion Jones beyond that required by an ignorant Christian, which he was, is?
To have the former Jones and multiple world records holder to be so destroyed, even as her competitors were no less culpable, on the altar of religious zealoustry tells this writer that he’s an asshole. Of the Bajan variety.
That Jones dominated her sport and he was always on the fringes at the highest level wreaks of an irrational equalization between a giant and an ant. Thompson being the ant, of course.
That this same lilipochian could be encouraged to now generalize his religious foolishness within a sport where technology is constanly extending human performace and where athletes will give anything to get an edge weeeee should be concerned about this man’s victimization of Jones, a woman close to him, within circumstances where all other actors went without any punishment at all.
Maybe Jones was led to believe that other gold medals will be won in the afterlife.
Further, that Jones was severely punished when the large corporations, including medical or biochemistry firms, behind people like Jones, could not be subjected to the fuckeries to which this idiot crucified Jones.
We see Obadelle Thompson as a monumental asshole!
And will always.
There is no real need to disparage Oba, Pacha…
He would just be another cog in the wheel of mediocrity.
The problem is SYSTEMIC, and the REAL leaders who need to come forward are NOT big-name people with their swollen egos, but the currently inert practical ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT PERFORMERS.
People who can get shit done….and who have demonstrated that they can..
Persons of the ‘Hammie La’ ilk..for instance.
When we create a system that MEASURES performance, tat takes action against parasites, and that rewards RESULTS, then we will see the REAL performers emerge …and the parasites fleeing… (pun attempted 🙂 )
This is your well documented “guillotine’ approach at work…
@Bush Tea
Was the blog about Oba?
@ David
Thanks. I thought I posted a contribution.
Do you ever wonder why sports such as horse racing, polo, equestrian sports, yachting, surfing, motor and go-kart racing, seem not to be significantly hindered by organisational or developmental difficulties?
The players involved do it for the love of the sport and not aggrandizement.
“Have you observed the same poor management/governance has visited the credit unions?”
@ David
Not only credit unions, but simple associations such a schools’ PTAs as well.
I remember attending a PTA meeting at my son’s nursery school.
The outgoing committee read their reports, before announcing the elections for a new committee would be held during the next meeting.
I observed a guy, dressed in ‘collar and tie,’ who I later found out was an insurance salesman, whom I assumed, from his behaviour, wanted to become the next PTA president, and to ‘hand pick’ a committee, consisting a specific caliber of parent, based primarily on how they were dressed, which he used as an indication they ‘had good jobs.’
Before the meeting concluded, my assumptions were confirmed.
He went around talking to women who wore skirts suits and men in ‘collar and tie.’
The ‘group’ met after the meeting.
At the next meeting, the guy managed somehow to be elected as president, and his ‘chosen few’ nominated and elected as well.
However, their tenure was poor. They saw themselves as being elite…… ‘a cut above the rest,’… …….whose only job was to collect money at functions, while the other parents should ‘do all the dirty work.’
With that type of attitude, cooperation eventually became slow forthcoming.
There were similar occurrences at the primary school PTA.
Where parents who were perceived to ‘have good jobs,’ forced themselves upfront to be recognized.
Some may view my example as silly. But, it’s a ‘status thing’ in Barbados.
Barbados sent 3 athletes to 2023 World Athletics Championships and 2 were knocked out in the first round of competition.
In short…
Place full of brass…
David, please check your spam.
Nothing in spam Artax.
Truly amazing that we only tend to highlight the failures. In recent months our athletes have performed creditably in many disciplines. At no time in our sporting history, have we seen accomplishments in such a broad number of disciplines from car racing to swimming and squash. Quite an impressive number of young sports persons are getting full college scholarships at overseas universities. How many are aware that we have one of the top junior golfers in the world ? How many know that we are producing some very talented kick boxers( not sure about the professional name) ? Road tennis is finally getting the profile it needs; and a number of former young athletes are pursuing studies in sports management and related disciplines.
I meant surfing not swimming.
King Dyall supported England and to some extent Australia.
The problem has always been transitioning from community/national based sporting activities to the international. Where there is no vision people perish. We also had class and economic discrimination. However, in many instances very poor sportspeople still made their mark in disciplines such as water polo. We also had a few who achieved similar distinction in squash. Horse racing to a somewhat limited degree also broke down some racial/economic barriers.
“Barbadians always supported foreign teams, South Africa had the late King Dyall has one of its biggest fans.”
@ David
Yes, I’m aware “Barbadians always supported foreign teams.”
I’m a basketball fan, used to play the game and remembered, during the early 1980s on Saturday evenings, when CBC used to televise NBA Basketball games.
Denver Nuggets was my favourite team, while David ‘Sky Walker’ Thompson was my favourite player.
That was the era of basketballers such as Darrell Dawkins, George McGinnis, Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, Karl ‘The Mail Man’ Malone, Dennis Johnson, Marques Johnson, Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
We would discuss the games at school on Monday mornings.
Yet, the YMCA used to be full every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for basketball games.
CBC also ‘showed’ UK football on Sundays and local football games still attracted fans, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.
Do you remember when Barbados had excellent volleyball 🏐 teams and the national teams won several regional tournaments?
What about netball? Barbados has some very good netballers.
Nowadays, our national teams are beaten ‘left, right and centre.’
There was a time when cricket was played on any vacant lot large enough for a pitch, schools’ pastures or in the gap.
Cricket in Barbados and the region has become so poor that the WI team is being insulted by former Indian cricketers.
Even the ‘lingo’ has changed. We are now referring to ‘batsmen’ as ‘batters.’
As I ‘said,’ TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
Crowds attending local sports have progressively dwindled over the years.
The younger generation is more into sports such as baseball and US football, European soccer etc.
And, who does not have a mobile phone to watch games, have the internet in their homes or can go to one of the many shops or sports bars.
You’ll see more people, collectively, in bars watching Italian football, than at a local 1st division game.
@Artax
The consensus seems to be that there are too many distractions for the youth with the advent of the internet. That said, until we get a national sports development program implemented to be able to maximize from a dwindling pool of talent we will continue to flounder. Sports must be embraced by the establishment as a constructive avenue for creating opportunities for our youth.
Sada williams sets a new national record in the women’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships.
https://www.nationnews.com/2023/08/21/sada-sets-national-records-reaches-another-world-championships-final/
“That said, until we get a national sports development program implemented to be able to maximize from a dwindling pool of talent we will continue to flounder.”
@ David
Exactly!
But, as I mentioned previously, developing a comprehensive sports program should be a collaborative effort involving ‘government,’ (through the sports ministry), various sports organizations, stakeholders and special interests groups.
Bushie, in his August 20, 2023 at 10:35 AM contribution, offered several suggestions, including the following:
“Identify each individual Sport Administrator, starting at the very top, and PUBLICLY (on BU) request that they answer specific questions related to their areas of responsibility, and respond to issues raised therefrom.
Those that refuse to respond would be appropriately noted and dealt with…”
That’s a start.
DID THE KENYANS HAVE A FANCY PROGRAM WHEN THEY WON NUMEROUS MEDALS IN LONG DISTANCE EVENTS
Assuming the Kenyans did not have a ‘fancy sports policy,’ does this mean other countries shouldn’t develop their own? Do you know if sporting environments in Barbados and Kenya are similar? That what works for Kenya, will work for Barbados? Do Kenyans still dominate long distant events?
Dr. GP, I suggest you read the following articles. {a} ‘Sports policy in Kenya: deconstruction of colonial and post-colonial conditions,’ by Kipchumbo Byron & Jepkorir Rose Chepyator-Thompson (March 2015). {2} ‘Establish national sports policy to guide Kenyan sport for the long term,’ by Peter Gacherm (June 2023). Also, read about Kenya National Sports Council.
Congratulations to Sade Williams. Her dedication to her sport is to be admired and emulated. It should not go unnoticed her finishing touches is coming from Jamaica.
I join you in offering congratulations to Sada Williams as well, David. Based on reports, seems as though the international sports media are impressed with her development and performances. There also several YouTube videos highlighting her achievements, even from local school sports.
If national honors and a money are not awarded to Sada this year then this will confirm what I have always suspected — everything on the island is a joke. It does not matter what they say or how they spin it – one big joke.
Waiting for the confirmation
Rubbish! Come on, my friend. There hasn’t been a time when athletes were not rewarded by both the public and private sectors for exceptional performances in their respective sports. Seems as though some of us are preoccupying ourselves with ‘looking under every rock, hoping to find a scam.’
Sada Williams it was reported is receiving support from government and the BOA.
Ms. Williams has once again proven that we abound with talent in several areas, but our inability to harness and develop that talent is our biggest problem.
Sports like everything else, has been the victim of political and social marginalization.
We continue, in several sectors, to sacrifice true development ,on the altar of political expediency and political hero worship bordering on cultism.
Congrats to her and all those associated with her development.
The issue of a small island developing world class talent and performance is complicated. Barbados has always produced talented athletes but it takes more. You need support structures and unfortunately what is required to produce world class athletes calls for significantly more.
A related point is that creating avenues via sporting activity for youth to unleash their talents is an achievement on its own without them having to reach world class standard.
Another point to note,many Barbadian athletes have entered the US collegiate ranks for example and elected to pursue educational/professional opportunities.
It maybe we can understand our limitations as a country, nurture the talent and allow that talent to be realized by co-opting support from Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas and other countries that have developed a fit for purpose support structure.
Jamaica’s men are currently competing in the long junp final. They are currently positioned in first, second and fourth place.
There’s barely a sport in the world in which Jamaicans are not competitive in.
Jamaicans are a hungry and a proud group of people. They also believe in having a healthy body and eating a healthy food.
We Bajans have a lot to learn from these people.
Jamaica is also a country located 30 minutes from the USA.
@TLSN
Hundreds of Jamaicans in the Diaspora return home to watch their high school sports meeting every year. That shows the level of interest. Also wherever Jamaicans are competing, they find themselves there in the hundreds. There is also a highly developed primary school program. There is absolutely nothing that they have achieved that we cannot. Remember also that Trinidad and Tobago produced quite a number of world class athletes.
@David, you contrast two important points and seemingly create a very distinct difference when there isn’t and i dont think has ever been one!
When you say that:
“… creating avenues via sporting activity for youth to unleash their talents is an achievement on its own without them having to reach world class standard” THAT’S absolutely correct.
So in my view it’s a follow-on RATHER THAN different “Another point” that “many Barbadian athletes have entered the US collegiate ranks for example and elected to pursue educational/professional opportunities.”
The path to professional training/careers is very well established via athletic scholarship at universities WITHIN the US systems certainly. For every student/athelete who becomes a professional star they are thousands who merely look back at their collegiate life with joy and become weekend warriors as above average players in some sport as happy teachers, coaches, administrators, insurance agents or whatever !
Just making the point that we shouldn’t expect every one of our ‘top athletes’ to become professional stars either … yet, I suspect your counter argument is that more of them should … and that they dont get the support resources to make that a reality!
Looking at Jamaica, TnT and particularly The Bahamas it’s reasonable to expect that and much more from our sports resources to move a top talent to the professional ranks … we (parents, officials) all have failed miserably there.
However, we absolutely have succeeded in getting many of our young athletes excellent educations and great experiences to forge their successful lives.
No excuses. Just being pragmatic.
@Dee Word
The simple point is that the crème de la crème of our talent are the ones who usually accept athletic scholarships, it therefore makes the job of creating a world class stable of athletes a challenge. Jamaica on the other hand has the benefit of accessing resources on the mainland AND the social underclass that exists which powers a hunger for success by any mean necessary. In Barbados there is a different dynamic.
A simple example, top class athletes need top class competition. A school can enter a group of athletes in a meet somewhere in Florida, fly in and fly out on a weekend during school time.
@ William Skinner,
I know that you have always had a positive outlook. Where some would see a half empty glass; you would see a glass half full.
However, you cannot say argue that Bajans can achieve in the same way as our Jamaican cousins. They were born hungry and have the mindset that food is a scarce resource. Compare that to Barbados where on every street corner you will find the obese and the soon to be mass binging on junk food.
Here is what your friend said,
“Do you ever wonder why sports such as horse racing, polo, equestrian sports, yachting, surfing, motor and go-kart racing, seem not to be significantly hindered by organisational or developmental difficulties?”
Your governments over the years have systematically donated NIS funds into the pockets of white minorities. This has given their sportsmen and women the incentive to perform at a high level on the world stage.
I know that black bajans excel in body building competitions. All credit to them. However, I find it disgraceful that consecutive governments have continued to deprive black young bajans the opportunities to excel in sports.
Not so long I stated that black bajans are merely 3rd class citizens. I stand by with what I said.
Where is the evidence to substantiate your claim that ‘governments DONATES NIS funds to white minorities, thereby giving them the incentive to perform at a high level?’ It ‘harrows me with fear and wonder’ that an individual would ‘stoop so low’ to use and purposely misrepresent my comments, as the basis to advance his/her malicious agenda.
Lord have mercy. What a race! A Jamaican girl has just won Jamaica’s first gold in a field packed with serious high class talent in the 100m hurdles.
Our government is focused only on our backward tourist industry. Unable to see that the sport’s industry is huge.
Barbados is missing out on this huge sporting festival in Hungary.
@ TLSN
Sports dominated by the white minority always had impressive corporate sponsorship. One just have to go through some old race books.
In terms of lending money out of the NIS to promote minority sports, I once heard COW
Williams on Brasstacks, literally demanding that government give him money to spend on some pavilion.
In terms of dietary habits , I think Jamaicans are very much into ground provisions and very heavy local breakfast meals.
As you said sports have never been seen as a revenue earner.
Quite frankly, we are not serious about the culture industries either as revenue.
The Bible says
Be transformed
by the renewing of your mind!
Easy easy easy easy!
Don’t get in my way!
Trouble in mind, i’m blue
But i won’t be blue always,
’cause the sun’s gonna shine
In my backdoor some day.
I’m all alone at midnight
And my lamp is burnin’ low
Ain’t never had so much
Trouble in my life before.
Trouble in mind, that’s true
I have almost lost my mind,
Life ain’t worth livin,
Sometimes i feel like dyin’.
Goin’ down to the river
Gonna take my ol’ rockin’ chair
And if the blues don’t leave me
I’ll rock away from there.
David, female surfer, Chelsea Tauch, has been ‘performing at a high level on the world stage’ for over 10 years. The international media refers to her as the ‘Barbadian surfing sensation.’ Perhaps someone may be willing to present information to BU, detailing the ‘donations’ she received from NIS that contributed to her success. We must bear in mind there is significant difference between ‘donating’ and ‘lending money out of the NIS.’
@Artax
You must learn to ignore stuff.
Jamaicans praising Bajan Sada Williams.
We should be embarrassed that others have to tell the whole world what we ought to know. Where is our pride or are we just going to continue bragging about literacy levels,
IT IS NOT AS EASY AS SOME PRESUME OR HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THAT POSITION..
JAMAICA HAS A POPULATION OF 10 TIMES BARBADOS 3 MILLION VS CLOSE TO 300,000..
JAMAICA HAS HILLS AND MOUNTAINS ALL OVER THE ISLAND, BARBADOS IS RELATIVELY FLAT SO THEIR ATHLETES HAVE AN ADVANTAGE IN DEVELOPING STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE FROM BIRTH.
MOST OF THE ATHLETES IN MY TIME DIDN’T DO ANY REAL FORM OF STRENGTH TRAINING UNTIL LATE IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS OR AFTER IF ANY.
I LEFT ON AN 4 YEAR FULL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP TO AN US UNIVERSITY AND WAS FIRST TIME I SAW PROPER FACILITIES INCLUDING GYM JUST FOR ATHLETES INCLUDING TRACK AND FIELD, AMERICAN FOOTBALLERS ETC.
WAS ALSO THE FIRST TIME GIVEN PROPER NUTRITION INCLUDING AT LEAST 6 DIFFERENT COLOURED PILLS TO TAKE DAILY SUPPLEMENTS BOTH FOR VITAMINS AND MINERALS ETC.
THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION IN PRACTICES DAILY WAS AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL AS ATHLETES ON THE TRACK TEAM WERE RECRUITED FROM ALL OVER THE US HIGH SCHOOLS STANDOUT ATHLETES AND THERE WERE AT LEAST 4 FROM JAMAICA ON SHOLARSHIP 3 FEMALE SPRINTERS AND 1 MALE HURDLER..
TO MAINTAIN ONE’S SCHOLARSHIP ONE HAD TO CONTRIBUTE TO POINTS FOR THE TEAM EACH YEAR IN YOUR EVENT AT BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG WITH MAINTAINING ACADEMIC GRADES.
TRACK PRACTICE WAS ALSO MANDATORY 5 DAYS A WEEK ON THE TRACK AND DURING OFF SEASON CROSS COUNTRY.
DURING CHRISTMAS AND SUMMER HOLIDAY BREAKS ONE WAS STILL EXPECTED TO TRAIN ON ONE’S OWN AND TO RETURN BACK TO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AT A HIGH LEVEL OF FITNESS.
ON THE 2 X 3 ISLAND WAS NOT THE CASE AS PRACTICES WERE 3 TIMES A WEEK AND TO PAY FOR NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS WAS BEYOND MOST ATHELETES AND THEIR PARENTS.
I TRAINED 6 DAYS A WEEK, 3 DAYS ON MY OWN BEFORE LEAVING THE 2 X3 ISLAND WITH LITTLE NUTRITION AND GYM FACILITIES AS I HAD SET A GOAL AND WAS DETERMINED TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR MYSLEF ELSEWHERE..
THIS IS THE FATE AND CHALLENGES OF MOST ATHLETES ON THE 2 X 3 ISLAND TO THIS DAY.
ON MY LAST TIME OF LIVING ON THE 2 X 3 ISLAND I ATTEMPTED TO GIVE BACK AND WAS THE PRO FOR THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OF BARBADOS TO THE POINT THAT SOME MEETINGS WERE HELD IN MY BUSINESS OFFICE BY THE EXECUTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HOWEVER I GOT FEDUP AS IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE WERE JUST USING THEIR POSITIONS FOR PERSONAL STATUS AND FREE TRIPS AND NOT IN HELPING TO DEVELOP THE JUNIOR OR SENIOR ATHLETES THROUGH THE LOCAL TRACK CLUBS AND BY EXTENSION COACHES.
IT DOESN’T AMAZE ME THAT THERE ARE STILL EXECUTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION STILL IN THE POSITIONS FOR THEIR DEAR LIVES HANGING ON WITHOUT LETTING GO WHILST PRETENDING THEY HAVE THE LOCAL ATHLETES BEST INTEREST AT HEART SO AS TO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM YEARLY FREE TRIPS AND MONETARY STIPENDS OUTSIDE THE 2 X 3 ISLAND.
MS MAYNARD AND NOEL ‘BARNEY’ LYNCH ARE/WERE FORMER COLLEAGUES OF THE AAA EXECUTIVE WERE TWO OF THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES AND NEVER DID ANYTHING FO THE LOCAL ATHLETES EXCEPT APPEAR ON THE TV, NEWSPAPER OR RADIO AND SPIN A PRETTY YARN
“I LEFT ON AN 4 YEAR FULL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP TO AN US UNIVERSITY AND WAS FIRST TIME I SAW PROPER FACILITIES INCLUDING GYM JUST FOR ATHLETES INCLUDING TRACK AND FIELD, AMERICAN FOOTBALLERS ETC.”
It was in the 80’s that I went to a US university. One day I poked my head in as I was passing by the gym which was located in the football stadium and I was caught completely by surprise. I had gone to this university directly from UWI St Augustine. There just was no comparison between the gym at St Augustine and the gym for athletes at the University of Florida. One was the small fishing boat used by our fishermen and the other a cruise line.
To properly develop athletes and Barbados, we will need more than a new stadium. We will need coaches who know what they are doing, a variety of sporting equipment and athletes that are disciplined and hungry with a desire to win.
@Baje;TLSN
You have both clearly expressed the basic problem which is a lack of real interest in our sports development and I mean all sports/disciplines.
I remain steadfast in my conviction that properly funded and managed , we could easily have all of the above but once more we place political lackeys in positions and they sing for their supper everyday and then send out some propagandists to make excuses for them with useless cliches and double speak.
Now, with all the disadvantages, you both have mentioned and correctly so, we have still been able to compete at the world class level. So, imagine ,where we could be if the jackasses stop braying and actually begin to pull the damn cart. Thank you both for telling it as it is.
During and after every global athletic event some Bajans tend to look with envy at the success of their Jamaican brothers and sisters in comparison to their locals mostly measly “also ran” efforts. I won’t pretend to know the reason(s) for Jamaica’s dominance on the athletic field, but their athletes have been winning gold medals at the Olympics-still the gold standard for athletic competition- since 1948. That’s right, 75 years and counting, a Bajan athlete has been able to stand on the Olympic podium once (I’m not counting Wedderburn who was part of a West Indian effort) during that period and the then Minister responsible for Sport tried to tear him a new one because the athlete was not sufficiently deferential to him.
I will leave it to the experts to articulate the reasons for Jamaica’s exceptional performance on the athletic field but maybe the main reason is the country’s support for their athletes, and nothing succeeds like success.
I will make one suggestion to the powers that be; if possible, send a few up-and-coming young coaches to intern with Jamaican coaches and hope that effort bears fruit.
I will make one suggestion to the powers that be; if possible, send a few up-and-coming young coaches to intern with Jamaican coaches and hope that effort bears fruit.
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THIS IS NOT A NECESSITY OVER THE YEARS THE 2 X 3 ISLAND HAS HAD SOME VERY GOOD COACHES WHEN COMPARED TO USA COACHES A COUNTRY THAT HAS HAD MANY OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALISTS FROM MY FIRST HAND OBSERVATIONS..
HOWEVER WHEN THE LOCAL ATHLETES ON THE 2 X 3 ISLAND DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO LITTLE OR NONE OF THE NECCESSARY ESSENTIALS AS MANY COME FROM FAMILIES IN THE POORER COMMUNITIES WITH NO RESOURCES THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
JAMAICA’S TOP ATHLETES WHO ALL COME FROM THE POORER COMMUNITIES ARE FROM TWO OR 3 TRACK CLUBS ON THE ISLAND WITH THOSE CLUBS AND SOME ATHLETES HAVING MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS, DONORS AND WORLD CLASS TRAINING FACILITIES, THERE IS NO COMPARISION TO WHAT IS NOT IN PLACE ON THE 2 X 3 ISLAND.
THAT IS WHY SADE WILLIAMS BRONZE MEDALIST TRAINS IN JAMAICA WITH ONE OF THOSE TOP CLUBS AND OTHERS IN THE USA WITH ALL THE RESOURCES IN PLACE YEAR ROUND.
JAMAICA ALSO HAS A PROPER WORLD CLASS STADIUM WITH A PROPER TRACK.
BACK IN THE DAY THE 2X3 ISLAND TRACK AT THE STADIUM FOR RACING WAS CALLED ‘ROCK GEORGE’, WITH NO PROPER FACILITIES FOR THE ATHLETES TO CHANGE OR TRAIN IN A SUITABLE GYM AT THE STADIUM.
TWO OF THE TOP LOCAL CLUBS WIBISCO STARS AND FREEDOM STRIDERS HAD POOR RAKEY BACKYARD TYPE GYMS AND ATHLETES TRAINED PRIMARILY ON GRASS FIELDS WITH SOME HAVING HOLES DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF THE YEAR THAT WAS HAZARDOUS TO LOCAL ATHLETES IF THEY HAPPEN TO STUMBLE AND FOOT LANDED IN ONE.
NOTHING MUCH HAS CHANGED IN 2023 LOCALLY ON THE 2 X3 ISLAND.
THE ATHLETES TRAINING AT THE LOCAL NATIONAL STADIUM USING THE TRACK YEAR ROUND DEVELOP CHIN SPLINTS AND OTHER INJURIES QUICKER BECAUSE OF THE SURFACE WHILST BUILT FOR RACING WAS NOT BUILT FOR TRAINING WEEKLY,
EVEN NOW THOUGH A MODERN TRACK, THE LOCAL STADIUM IS DILIPIDATED, WITH NO SHELTER FOR RAIN.
THE NATIONAL STADIUM IS A DISGRACE AND USING THE WORDS OF DECEASED FORMER PRIME MINISTER OWEN ARTHUR ‘POOR RAKEY’
INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING BAJANS SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME POSITIVE YOUNGSTERS WITH THE ODDS AGAINST THEM TRYING THEIR BEST TO COMPETE WITH SOME SEEKING A BETTER LIFE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS ETC.
Wunna could talk what wunna like, ….but a lotto money does get spend on bare sport every year bout here, so there HAVE to be some Bajans that are happy as shiite wid ‘sports’.
When yuh say one ting yuh gotta say de udder….
Our athletes can indeed do much better – if that money was spent on facilities, training and nutrition, BUT!!!! …. what would then be left for those who are CURRENTLY having such a ball ..?
Wunna alright!!
@David I’ll ping this to you but speak generally related to the remarks by @Baje and @Theo.
Based on his experiences I can only view @Baje’s remarks as those of a man totally disenchanted by local issues during his professional career.
It is incredible that anyone who UNDERSTANDS the US collegiate INDUSTRY as he should would attempt in ANY way to compare it to local or regional operations.
Good grief, the US college athletic operations is freaking BIG business with annual revenues exceeding $10 – $15 Billion. Repeat BILLION.
How on earth therfore do u NOT expect state-of-the-art gyms at places like University of Georgia (current NCAA football champions) where their stadium seats over 92,000 fans! 😒🤦🏾♂️
Let me put that in perspective if it’s still hard to grasp. Many, many years ago when I discovered that the Maracana stadium in Brazil seated some 78,000 i was just blown away … the stadium in Georgia is only the TENTH largest for college football in US … and on many season Saturdays the damn places are FULL. FULL!
Or said another way: a football coach at Georgia, Michigan or Alabama (top Div 1 teams) earn at least $10 million/year … that’s the range of what soccer star Robert Lewandowski earns also per year!
No one disputes our local cronyism and serious deficiencies but let’s get real with these unreal comparisons.
Div 1 sports in US is BIG BUSINESS …
If you go a lower div sports institution or a community college (which realistically would be a better comparison) you definitely would NOT find the awesome facilities or perfect emphasis on nutrition … YES, there will be some decent facilities and detailed guidance for self maintenance !
Need we be reminded that student-atheletes in US have now gained rights to their own brand image and the $$ therefrom to be made!!!
You CANNOT compare Bim’s or even Jamaica’s athletic landscape to all that! 🤦🏾♂️🙏🏿
@Dee Word
Nothing to add.
‘Well said,’ dpD. The comparsions are definitely silly.
Based on his experiences I can only view @Baje’s remarks as those of a man totally disenchanted by local issues during his professional career.
It is incredible that anyone who UNDERSTANDS the US collegiate INDUSTRY as he should would attempt in ANY way to compare it to local or regional operations.
Good grief, the US college athletic operations is freaking BIG business with annual revenues exceeding $10 – $15 Billion. Repeat BILLION.
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IF SPEAKING THE TRUTH MAKES ME DISENCHANTED WELL WELL WELL.
I ALSO SPOKE TO JAMAICA AND WHAT THEY HAVE IN PLACE COMPARED TO THE 2 X 3 ISLAND LACK OF AND PEOPLE ARE MOANING ABOUT LACK OF PERFORMANCE.
TRUTH IS WHEREVER I GO I SUCCEED PROFESSIIONALY BECAUSE OF THE DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATION I GAINED FROM TRACK AND THE COACHES I HAD FROM A TEENAGER.
NOT DISILLUSIONED AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCREDIT THE REALITY.
I SPEAK ONLY OF WHAT I KNOW AND HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A FORMER NATIONAL ATHLETE WHO GAINED A SCHOLARSHIP ABROAD AND CAME BACK AND GAVE OF MY TIME AND RESOURCES WITH NO FINANCIAL BENEFIT OR WAS LOOKING FOR NONE JUST SEEING OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES ON A WIDER SCALE.
CONTINUE TO POKE HOLES HOWEVER DEAL WITH THE REALITY.
JAMAICA DOES NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OF THE USA HOWEVER ……………….
@ TheOGazerts,
@ Dee Word
The facts cannot be disputed. Numbers alone make comparisons difficult.
However, we have failed to even provide the basics or the basic required standards for our sportspersons.
Being small does not mean we cannot strive to be broader and better in outlook.
There maybe 365 murders a week somewhere else it ; does not mean we should accept 2 per week.
So yes, stadiums overseas can hold 90,000; it does not mean we cannot not have a proper modern facility holding 10,000.
The question to be posed in several areas is: are we being the best we can be ?
@Skinner, I agree that we are clearly “not being the best we can be”. My point above didn’t refute that; it dismissed the silly (IMHO) comparisons of the scope of operations/facilities.
In the context of Bim we have to do better surely and the serious practical thrust of your or @Baje’s posts does speak to that and too our hurky-jerky efforts to develop suitable facilities. To wit: a then newish Sir Garry gym which hosted the regional BB tournament back in late 80s when Gay Griffith
I believe was Pres; a then viable Waterford stadium which hosted many top flight cycle meets and where the said Barney Lynch ran a race creditably against the TnT Olympic champ Hasley Crawford; the revamped Kensignton, of course; the then new facilities at UWI and others.
The major problem: why were the facilities and programs NOT SUSTAINED.
That’s party about funds but moreso about the personnel who ran affairs … so yes I (and others) get IT … but I repeat, the comparisons to US – as made – were absurd and lacked context.
It also should be noted that there are multiple more ‘good’ gym (private mainly) facilities across Bim than ever before…
2…It should be noted that folks like Orlando Greene, Watson and Mac Fingall – (the former two like @Baje had scholarships to US: not sure about Mac-) came back and built excellent programs that developed promising atheletes. And of course before them the Jerston Clarkes and others mentioned above also had solid programs from which talented youth evolved.
So I say again let us be practical and real in our comparisons…
Peace brother.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/08/25/sports-minister-congratulates-sada-on-historic-feat/
@ William Skinner
They will always be those who try to distract.
@ Baje also made comparisons with Jamaica.
However the usual individuals continue to show their heads and narrow minded thinking
Talking loud and saying NOTHING, as USUAL.
I guess comparing the gym at UWI St. Augustine with that at the University of Florida, at which football, baseball, basketball are played at a ‘semi-professional’ level, against other college teams, hence, the proper gym facilities, is wide minded thinking.
I guess comparing the gym at UWI St. Augustine with that at the University of Florida, at which football, baseball, basketball are played at a ‘semi-professional’ level, against other college teams, hence, the proper gym facilities, is wide minded thinking.
Xxxxxxxx
What about the gyms in Jamaica at the top track clubs.
Does Jamaica has a modern stadium that can seat 90000?
Answer is of course not.
Small minds will always catch at the shadows instead of the substance.
TLSN you never bring anything with substance and always expose yourself as a jackass.
@Hants
In the video the woman is talking a out Mr Kellman.
That video has to be at least five years old
TheO
It was used in the context that over time the residents had contact several politicians and officials re the flooding issue.
You too fast to…..lol
‘Small minds will always catch at the shadows instead of the substance.’
I thought the comparison was apt. The real comparison is really the gym at a single university versus what we have as a nation (Barbados).
You missed the main point. Small minds beat mice minds everyday.
I love my fellow Bajans.
We may be lacking in equipment, but that does not concern them. Instead they try to point out why UF has a good gym. The same small mind will be making the same small point in 2026 when we still lack proper facilities.
I thought the comparison was apt. The real comparison is really the gym at a single university versus what we have as a nation (Barbados).
Xxxxxx
@ Theo
Was agreeing with both @ Baje and your feedback the narrow mindness had nothing to do with any of your comments.
It was directed at other individuals.
Talking loud and saying NOTHING as USUAL.
Perhaps this may explain why
Bajan women do not gravitate towards sport. Here is a classic example of our toothless media, draconian laws and an incompetent sporting body working in unison.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/03/fifa-investigates-after-st-kitts-appoint-coach-accused-of-sexual-abuse
@ David,
As we are talking about sports here’s an interesting story concerning American tennis players.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/25/american-mens-tennis-grand-slam-title-drought
@TLSN
While it is true enough focus is not given to sports in Barbados and in many small islands, there is a good reason – lack of resources mean we can never sustain a high performance sports program given competing priorities. We will have to get creative.
@Wake up
Sincere apologies. My fingers seem to be faster than my old mind.
I thought you were one of my good friends and overreacted.
Sincerest apologies.
Invest in sports
MAYNARD CALLS FOR MORE ASSISTANCE TO BE GIVEN TO ATHLETES
By Anmar Goodridge-Boyce
Longstanding track and field administrator Esther Maynard says a holistic approach is needed if Barbados is to produce more world-class athletes who will excel on the international stage.
Maynard, a director of the Barbados Olympic Association who has served in several capacities in athletics around the Caribbean, believes now is the time for Government and the private sector to rally together to help local athletes reach the top.
Speaking during a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY from Budapest, Hungary, at the World Athletics Championships following Sada Williams’ bronze medal run in the women’s 400-metres, Maynard said major improvements were needed if other athletes were to emulate Williams’ success on the world stage.
“We are lucky to have Sada and we are proud of her, but we have to ensure that we as a country, not only as an association, provide the foundation that other athletes can come through to that level once they show the potential. It means that everything has to improve; our facilities, training and the functioning of everybody around athletics to make sure we keep improving and finding more Sadas,” Maynard said.
“We cannot pay lip service to this.
Everybody that can needs to contribute financially as well as helping with the support structure that enables the country to keep producing, not just to produce one athlete like that. It would help us to have more than one medalist not just at Worlds but at the Olympics as well.”
Williams became Barbados’ first athlete with multiple World Championships medals after capturing her second bronze medal.
She also placed third at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
“Sada deserves all the success that she has had. She had an excellent World Championships campaign, setting the national record in the semi-final and then fighting her way back with determination to place third in a very tough field in the final. She had stiff competition and had to run at her best to get that medal. All kudos go to Sada. I hold the performance in very high esteem. She has shown that she is a world-class athlete,” Maynard stated.
She also took the opportunity to encourage Barbados’ men’s 4×400-metre relay team which narrowly missed out on qualification.
“Going into the Olympics next year it has to be a continuation of where we are. We have a very good men’s 4x400m relay team and we need to build on that. We just missed the qualifying by being the 17th ranked team. Yes, we have a lot of work to do but not just at the top, the wider the base, the higher the pyramid where our athletes can reach and perform.
“We have to ensure that we have the quantity. We have the talent, the aim now should not only be the individual medalists but the men’s 4x400m relay. We need a little more depth now to ensure that we are capable of making it into relay finals because the 4x400m relay in 1984 was the first event that Barbados qualified for as a team,” Maynard said.
We cannot possibly believe that citizens are not interested in athletics. Parents of children from the primary to secondary levels encourage and support the efforts of the children.
These meetings attract a cross section of the society. I don’t think there would have been this level of enthusiasm from these young participants without parental and indeed community support.
Furthermore , Radio Barbados carries both these meets. A recent interview with one of the primary school athletes was very well received.
There is a tendency to blame the masses for all the shortcomings of those who govern. It’s a dastardly cop out.
We don’t even properly maintain school grounds. When are we going to stop
this embarrassing defense of what is nothing more than a political pappy show.
Barbadians generally support their children if they are interested in athletics, but what does this look like when it is time to go next level? This is where the discussion is currently located. A majority of Barbadians especially in the blue collar segment will lean to educational opportunities over athletics.
..but what does this look like when it is time to go next level?
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The problem is that there is NO next level bout here…except for the career sports administrators…
@Bush Tea
What some struggle to understand is that a few successes because of outlier scenarios does not address the systemic issue why Barbados and others are challenged. We have limited resources and can do better to move the needle but we have a problem with managing to success in most areas of society. We never look at the big picture:
Look Boss..
It is MUCH simpler than you speculate…
Visionary leadership is 99% responsible for societal success outcomes. Where there is no leadership vision, the brass bowls will be condemned to be vessels for night stool duties….
Jamaica has shown what strong, visionary leaders in Sport can achieve – even with limited finances.
The challenge is .. How do we select and maintain visionary leadership?
@Bush Tea
You have been to Jamaica, has this visionary leadership translated to other areas of society? Why do many Jamaican set a goal of emigrating to almost every country in the world including Barbados?
One of the most surprising things about the 2023 is that Jamaican are competing in every area of track and field and meeting with great success.
This excursion with other events should not have been a surprise as this was a Caribbean island with a bobsled team
…has this visionary leadership translated to other areas of society?
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Is this big red herring?
We were speaking of Sport and thus sport leadership.
Jamaica’s sport leaders are not the leaders in other sectors…
@Bush Tea
You should know better than most that Jamaica’s athletics success is driven by other factors besides leadership. That said we can learn a lot from Jamaica although the we come from a different place.
@Bush Tea
Have you ever attended a meeting with different countries from the region and observed how Jamaicans present compared to others?
Discuss for 5 points.
Grenadian star.
Boss, Jamaicans are different to all other brass bowls is a very special way. But this in neither better or worse… just DIFFERENT.
Bushie’s reference was strictly to the matter of leadership in sport.
The same applies in Australia, for example after they did poorly in an Olympic Games, and the National leadership undertook a massive reform in sport that now sees Australia as a top performer in almost evert possible sport.
Bushie is a piece o’ Jamaican, so no need to discuss…
@Bush Tea
Let us agree on that- we don’t other attributes they have perfected taking root in Barbados.
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