The inaugural LIME/Pelican Football Challenge seemed to be something of a magnet for Barbadian politicians.
Former Opposition Leader Mia Mottley was the chairman of the organizing committee for the tournament.
She engaged the services of long-time football administrator Randy Harris, who was also part of a football drive that saw the BESS (Barbados Entertainment Support Services) tournament rise to never before seen levels in the 1990s.
Many doubted the venture would succeed. They thought offering prize money of $100 000 to players who weren’t even semi-professional was downright insane. The fact that players earned a weekly stipend to play, and the tournament’s most valuable player would earn $10 000 was even more mind-boggling.
But Barbadians flocked to the National Stadium – even though matches were played only once a week – and immediately the Challenge was the place to be for sports fans.
In their midst, frequently, were politicians from all sides of the spectrum.
At every match they could be seen, often deep in conversation with others from across the supposed divide.
Wednesday night’s final of the competition was no exception. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart was there; Leader of the Opposition Owen Arthur was among the spectators too; as were Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, BLP Senator Santia Bradshaw and former BLP?candidate Rudy Grant.
Unlikely conversations seemed to be engaged in earnestly.
Undoubtedly, Johnny Tudor and Mara Thompson would have discussed more than just football; Rommel Marshall and Joe Edghill compared notes, perhaps about life outside of the House of Assembly. And Chris Sinckler and Mottley could easily have been talking about the latter’s goal was in organizing the tournament.
But seriously . . . Mottley did explain, to the WEEKEND NATION, her motive behind getting involved in the first place.
“This was solely for the footballers of Barbados. They had been crying out for years that they deserved better – and, to be honest, they did,” Mottley said over the sounds of blaring music and loud sports-horns, as fans and players of winners Jose y Jose Bajan Pride Ballers also danced around on the turf at Kensington Oval.
After Wednesday night’s successful conclusion to the inaugural tournament, fans, perhaps including politicians, are already asking for more. The smile on Mottley’s face during the presentation ceremony indicated they may get what they are asking for.
Mottley, however, was a little “hush-hush” when asked about the future of the tournament.
“You know I don’t like to think or talk too quickly, but we will be looking to come back next year, and with a much improved product. We can only look to get better and make the sport of football in Barbados better,” said Mottley.
The former leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) noted that the behaviour by players and patrons was exemplary and also proved the country was willing to embrace such a tournament at every level.
“. . . The darkest of times is the time you sometimes have to step into the light, and say, ‘Yes we can’,” Mottley said, borrowing the famous catchphrase from Barack Obama, who won the United States presidency with the identical slogan.
“We have showed the world what we can do, even when times are not the best. We have showed what we are made of, and on Independence Day that makes it even more important to all Barbadians.
“This is a great day for everyone associated with football. God bless Barbados on this Independence Day,” Mottley concluded to steady applause after making her final speech to the more than 9 000 fans on hand.