Local draughts grandmaster Jack Francis is seeking approximately $12 000 in sponsorship to compete in two overseas competitions this year.
Francis, the only Barbadian to have won the British Open, is hoping to secure funding to compete in the United States Festival of Draughts, the British Open and the World Qualifying tournament.
The Vidor Checkers USA Invitational runs from July 1 to 4, followed by Blitz Checkers on July 5 and the USA GAYP Checkers National from July 6 to 9. Francis will then travel to England in September to defend his British Open title from September 9 to 12 before competing in the World Qualifier “three move” restriction tournament from September 14 to 17.
The veteran player, a ten-time Barbados national champion and winner of the British Open in 1996 and 2024, said his record demonstrates his ability to compete successfully at the highest level internationally.
“My exploits in draughts locally and internationally are well documented. Outside of Ronald ‘Suki’ King, I am the only other logical contender to bring great honour to my country in this sport. We are the only two internationally recognised grandmasters in Barbados in this field and therefore, undoubtedly the greatest players this country has ever produced.”
He added, “The title of grandmaster is the highest conferred achievement in any mind sport, the performance records of us both speak for themselves. In the 30 Barbados Nationals in which I have competed since 1991 (when I won my first National Title) through to 2025, I have won ten titles and copped 17 podium finishes which I believe was a superbly stellar record bettered only by Suki. In the very highly prestigious Henderson Layne Memorial, I am the only player with a 100 per cent record on podium achievements and the only Barbadian player to win highly prestigious international tournaments, having won the British Open titles in 1996 and 2024, respectively.”
International competition
Francis said his focus this year will be on international competition rather than local events.
“I will definitely not be taking part in any Barbados Nationals this year. It is my view that after such a tremendously long period of stellar success in this local tournament, I will take a welldeserved break. All of my attention and energy will go towards focusing on the upcoming Vidor Draughts Festival.”
He said he was awaiting support from sponsors, including the National Sports Council, to help fund his participation in the overseas events. Francis also expressed hope that his upcoming showdown with King later this year would help generate renewed interest in the sport locally.
“In my planned participation in the aforementioned tournaments, I am patiently waiting on the continued kind of sponsorship support from the National Sports Council and some other prospective contributors. There is also the most significant local matchup against Suki King in the clash of the ‘Grandmaster Titans’. I believe that this match-up has all the ingredients to restore draughts to the high profile which has so drastically declined.”
Beyond competition, Francis also said he intends to expand efforts to develop the sport among young people through educational programmes.
“I would also like to restart a programme of clinics in schools come September as I believe the inauguration of a Community Centres Programmes of clinics as a way of giving back to the country and attempting to rid the nation of the ‘criminal bug’ which is plaguing Barbados today.” (JC)
