Barbados’ top badminton players will leave today for the Dominican Republic with the aim of matching or improving on the 28 medals gained when the CAREBACO Tournament was resuscitated here last year.
On that occasion, the Bajan seniors placed second, while the juniors ended fourth. This time around, the Barbados squad has been affected by financial constraints which saw a reduction of the numbers. In addition, top national player Gervon Gaskins will miss the tour.
In Gaskin’s absence, Barbados will be counting on top performances from Andre Padmore and Shari Watson to remain in contention. While Tamisha Williams will be looking to continue her giant-killing play at the regional level, juniors D’Andre Thorpe, Shae Martin, Derion Hurley, Monyata Riviera and the Howard siblings, Dominic, Nicholas and Mackenzie, are expected to perform creditably.
Ironically, Gaskin was among a group of national players who recently competed at the Manhattan Open, snatching several medals. Coach/player Kevin Wood indicated that the team had been training extremely hard and they were optimistic of matching or surpassing the medals won last year.
“It is important for our teams to do well and/or win CAREBACO since we want to lift the status of badminton in Barbados so that potential players and sponsors would recognize and accept badminton as one of the more exciting Olympic sports,” said Wood.
The tournament, which will run from August 19 to, 26 has attracted teams from Puerto Rico, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the hosts, the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico are defending the junior title, while Suriname are the senior champions.
Senior Players: Dakeil Thorpe, Damien Howell, Tamisha Williams, Sabrina Scott, Shari Watson, Andre Padmore, Bradley Pilgrim, Jade Browne, Kevin Wood (coach/player).
Junior Players: Derion Hurley, D’Andre Thorpe, Derion Hurley, Monyata Riviera, Amanda Haywood, Shae Martin, Jehu Gaskin, Assukille Daniel Duncan, Dominic Howard, Nicholas Howard, Mackenzie Howard, Athelstone Forde (coach). (KB)
