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Minister of Sports Charles Griffith was quoted in the news recently full of compliments for the Barbados Athletic Association. It seems the  BAA has identified about 100 young talented athletes for targeted development. One wonders if this program should have been implemented decades ago- better late than never is the saying!

In a post 2025 Carifta Games evaluation where Barbados gained 14 medals compared to 5 in 2024, there is reason to celebrate. The improved performance in the lingo of revered economists represents almost a 60% improvement year on year. Barbados has done well all things considered, a condemned national stadium, a sports policy found only in the headspace of ministers of sport past and present to name a few challenges. It is no surprise our young athletes continue to underperform when compared with regional counterparts. The great news is that Barbados’ 14-medal haul in 2025 marks its best performance at the CARIFTA Games since 2016.

YearGoldSilverBronzeTotal
201574516
201666820
201744412
201814813
201934411
2020
2021
202214611
202326210
20240235
202515814

How many times have we discussed in this space the unquestionable benefits a robust sports program would benefit the the country? Why would any country with a high incidence of NCDs value a health and wellness culture? What about the career and educational opportunities it affords? No question a robust sports program will add tremendous value to a national strategic plan.

An anecdotal survey of the leadership of a majority of local sports associations reveals presidents, treasurers et al have held the position for years in many cases. In other scenarios the same faces are rotated because of a ‘buddy (clique) system’. The opportunity to harvest new ideas and attract fresh talent in the prevailing circumstances is understandly stymied. Every tournament we see the usual faces jetting off to enjoy the thrill of free travel, per diems and other ‘sweets’. Needless to mention is the corruption which never rises to the point of being worth investigating by the Barbados Police Service.

The pressing need to implement a local sports (youth) program does not mean plaudits being heaped on our young athletes are not well deserved. It means there is opportunity to do better and do right for your youth.


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4 responses to “Continuing to play with sports”


  1. I APPLAUD THE 2025 ATHLETES PERFORMANCES OVERALL.

    AS SOMEONE WHO SAT ON THE EXECUTIVE ON THE AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (AAA) WHEN HAD A REGIONAL CARIBBEAN BUSINESS I CAN SAY WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THE AAA EXECUTIVES ARE ONLY IN IT FOR EGO AND FREE TRIPS NOT TO SERVE THE INTEREST OF THE YOUNGSTERS IN TRACK AND FIELD.

    REASON WHY THE SAME OLD RECYCLE NAMES AND FACES.

    GETTING RID OF THEM ALONG WITH A NEW NATIONAL STADIUM WOULD BE A FRESH START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.


  2. “CARIFTA: Barbados ends pool segment with 32 medals.”


  3. Right!

    CARIFTA coach: Overseas recruitment needed

    By Ezra Stuart

    ezrastuart@nationnews.com

    Go on a recruitment drive for overseas-based athletes who have Barbadian parents.

    That’s the plea from Bryan Holder, head coach of the Barbados’ CARIFTA Games’ track and field team, which gained 14 medals – one gold, five silver and eight bronze – over three days of competition at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad.

    Holder acknowledged that while the Games showed that Barbados can get the job done, they must also look at recruiting some of the talented children of former Barbadian athletes who are now living in the United States after gaining scholarships to represent the country.

    “For me, the biggest takeaway is that we can get it done. When we won 33 medals, it was a different time. In the last couple years, you’ve seen territories like Guyana, Aruba having more representation and therefore with that greater representation, they are not just bringing anybody and everyone but they are looking for athletes who have parents who were born in their countries or second generation children who are coming here with American accents and representing some of these territories.

    He used University of Virginia student-athlete Maya Rollins, who won a silver medal in the Under-20 Girls’ 100-metre hurdles for Barbados on Monday in her maiden CARIFTA Games after arriving from the United States the previous Sunday night, as example. She is the daughter of former Lodge School and Barbados athlete, Fabian Rollins, who now lives in the US.

    “We ourselves, would’ve had one [Maya Rollins] but in many cases, they have many of those persons who live in the Diaspora somewhere and they represent the country. That is something we have to explore. We cannot continue to allow this because this is what really happens that Barbadian athletic scholarship winners go to North American for school and in many cases, they do not return. I think that they have offspring and the offspring in many cases, represent the United States. We need to be able to get those persons come back and come with us and help strengthen our pool.

    “Imagine Maya Rollins on the anchor leg of our 4×100-relay team for Girls’ Under-20. She was earmarked to be there but due to flight arrangements, she didn’t get here on time. I think if Maya Rollins was on that anchor, we definitely would’ve been on the podium for sure,” Holder said.

    Holder also revealed that there is another Barbadian, whom if he was on the 4×100 Under-20 Boys’ team that consisted of boys who barely get 10.8, 10.7 seconds on weekends but got the podium, Barbados would’ve had a more formidable quartet.

    “If we had that kind of speed, we would’ve gone clear. It is that kind of talent and experience that we also need to capture and utilise,” Holder said.

    Source: Nation

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