Deputy PM Santia’s statement on the passing of George Lascaris

Below is the full statement

As the Member of Parliament for a constituency that includes the Pine, where for so many residents, football is almost inseparable from daily life, I cannot help but be touched deeply by the passing of veteran football administrator, George Lascaris. 

George was a teacher by profession, and this, combined with his love of football, meant that for almost half a century he touched the lives of Barbadian youths in a most intimate way. My interaction with him began when he was a teacher at my alma mater Christ Church Foundation School and then later at the Barbados Community College. Sir, was for those students who benefited from his tutoring and mentoring both firm and fair.  

In the Pine and surrounding areas, he was most certainly an inspiration for many of the coaches and young men who admired his professionalism, commitment, and dedication to the sport and who developed a sense of discipline, primarily from their association with sports generally, but football, in particular.  

However, George’s influence ran much deeper. He had played both basketball and football from the age of 17 years and after completing his MBA at Hofstra University he returned to Barbados and took up the  presidency of the Barbados Football Association for the first time in 1983. He set out on a mission to modernise the sport in Barbados and to exploit its commercial value for the benefit of people across the country.  

He placed great emphasis on sponsorship of teams and players, helping more business owners to see the connection between investing in our youth and building a wholesome society. And he led the football effort from the front, organising for more than 30 years the Barbados Cup, which also involved youth teams from outside of Barbados.  

Personally, I count it a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with George, especially through the Pinelands Youth Soccer Academy and to learn from the skills and care he displayed while trying to mold so many young boys into productive and responsible men in our community. We will miss him. 

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere condolences to his wife, Margo, his sons Chae and Luke, and other members of his family, as well as the wider Barbadian football fraternity. 

May his soul rest in peace.