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U-13s off to Guyana for cricket tour

Kenmore Bynoe
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U-13s off to Guyana for cricket tour

The future of Barbados’ cricket left the island yesterday for Guyana where the best Under-13 players will engage the hosts in a number of development matches from December 13 to 20.

The tour which has been organised between the Barbados Cricket Association and the Guyana Cricket Board has been described by international coach Roderick Estwick as a key developmental stage where the correct habits and disciplines are instilled in the young talent.

Speaking to Saturday Sport before the team left Barbados, Estwick said: “This tour is aimed at developing our young players while instilling discipline right now. If you can start at this early age it will be a lot easier going through the different age groups.

“These players will graduate to the Under-15s and beyond. Once we continue to instil that discipline we will achieve our goals. I love developing youngsters, shaping lives, careers.

“This is something that I am always upbeat about and I am always looking forward to it. People think it is a challenge, but it is not a challenge. It is something that you should embrace to see persons going on not only to succeed in cricket but in life.

“Look at the West Indies teams and other teams around the world which I was involved with. You feel a sense of pride when players that you impacted achieve great success. Just look at Justin (Greaves) who scored that double hundred. I can remember coaching him from his young days from 11 at Combermere and seeing him develop is fantastic.”

Estwick said many of the players were leaving the island for the first time and they would need the help of management to guide them correctly.

“If no teaching takes place no learning takes place. To go away at 13 to represent Barbados is a wonderful opportunity. But our management team know that the kids will make one or two mistakes along the way.

“They will want to stay up as long as possible. Our role will be to fully explain to them the importance of being well prepared, totally rested for the assignments ahead,” he said.

A large number of parents along with the BCA’s operations manager Wendell Coppin were present at the Grantley Adams International Airport to see the contingent off. Included among the well wishers was Veronica Annel-Agard, the principal of the Princess Margaret Secondary School who went to give support to her student Nathan Kirton. (KB)

SQUAD: Avery Boyce (Combermere), Jon-David Greene (Harrison College), Anarhi Hinds (Alexandra), Tanari Hunte (Graydon Sealy), Kijani Inniss (Graydon Sealy), Ky-Mani Inniss (Lodge), Oliver King (Harrison College) Nathan Kirton (Princess Margaret), Natarie Lavine (Alleyne), Niako Patterson (Deighton Griffith), Z’Dari Scantlebury (Lodge), Liam Sookram (Combermere), Jaheim Springer (Coleridge & Parry), Kaedon Wilkinson (Combermere).

Management Unit: Roderick Estwick (Head Coach), Dexter Toppin (Assistant Coach), Sherwin Greene (Manager)

‘Open up’ about loans

Maria Bradshaw
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‘Open up’ about loans

Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne wants Government to give the public a full disclosure regarding its borrowings.

Speaking yesterday in the House of Assembly during debate on the Economic Diversification And Growth Fund Bill, 2025, he suggested that some people were benefiting from the negotiation of these loans.

Responding to Ryan Straughn, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, who in introducing the bill stated that the foreign reserves had remained stable, Thorne declared: “Every Barbadian knows that this country has not earned its foreign exchange. This country earned qualification for loans. What appears to be healthy foreign exchange was not generated within this economy. That foreign exchange was generated by negotiations with lending agencies and there’s nothing wrong with borrowing money in principle, but we all know that borrowed money has not found reinvestment within the local economy and that’s why you borrow money.

“When a Government borrows money merely to present a facade to the rest of the world and that is to say, ‘Look how rich we are in foreign exchange’, and that foreign exchange springs from loans, you really are not achieving anything that is worthy of praise,” he added.

He called on Government to “give account for the fees, the commissions, paid to individuals, whether local or foreign, because the obligation to repay includes those sums that have been paid to individuals. It ought not to be a secret”.

The Opposition Leader also condemned Government for failing to reduce the value added tax (VAT) from 17.5 per cent, stating the failure to control cost of living was ruining a lot of lives in Barbados. (MB)

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CAL Air Shift

Sherrylyn Clarke
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CAL Air Shift

From February next year, the Barbados hub of Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) will be restructured and aircraft and crew stationed here will operate from Trinidad where CAL is headquartered.

In addition, the regional carrier will shortly be ending its Tortola and Puerto Rico routes, which included a Barbados leg.

However, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill told the Saturday Sun they had not been told of any reduction in flights at this time.

“Simply, we have been advised of rescheduled and retimed flights into Barbados. However, we are monitoring the situation and if any reduction is likely, we will work with our existing regional carriers to fill any gaps,” he said.

He pointed out that Barbados had strategically improved its regional carriers post-COVID-19, which had already resulted in increased air seat capacity.

Two weeks ago, CAL announced that as part of its ongoing Network Optimisation Programme, it was discontinuing routes, effective January 10, 2026, on its Tortola, British Virgin Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico routes, which include its BBW 292 route to Trinidad, Barbados, Tortola and Puerto Rico, and BBW 293 Puerto Rico, Tortola, Barbados to Trinidad flight. The airline noted that this decision was made following comprehensive evaluations of route performance and resource deployment.

However, CAL gave the assurance that it would “continue to experience seamless connectivity across the Northern and Eastern Caribbean with a refined flight schedule”. (MB)

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Son: Help my dad find a home

Ashada Joseph
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Son: Help my dad find a home

Roland Charlemagne is desperately seeking help for his 84-year-old father, whose long-time home has deteriorated into near ruin. 

For more than 50 years, his father, Patrick Poleon of Morris Gap, Westbury Road, St Michael, lived in a wooden home that now looks as if it was battered by a storm – the front leaned hazardously and the centre and back sections were completely collapsed into pieces of board and galvanize sheets. 

Poleon, a St Lucian by birth, has been living in Barbados for over 60 years. A mason by profession, he was employed for 29 years at Preconco Limited until his retirement last year, after which he continued to offer his services. 

Charlemagne said he looked at every option possible, even contacting the Urban Development Commission which then pointed him to Minister of Housing, Lands, and Maintenance Chris Gibbs but those efforts were in vain. 

“I spoke to the parliamentary representative and I managed to get a meeting with his office and then it was cancelled for whatever reason. I was told that I would get an update as to when another meeting could be put together. Since then, this has been going on for two months now and I haven’t heard anything,” he said in a defeated tone.

He explained that the house only started to deteriorate about six years ago and he was unaware that
his father’s living conditions had gotten worse over time.

“I personally wasn’t aware of the extent of the damage because my dad was always a guy who prided himself on being a hard worker and efforts to contact him were unsuccessful because he was always at work. It’s only since he became a pensioner and no longer works that I really became aware of the full extent of the situation,” he said.

Charlemagne said there was a notice from the Ministry of Health which said the house was scheduled for demolition. 

He said he immediately spoke to someone who said they didn’t know someone was living in the house because of its state. They assured that as long as someone lived in there, it would not be demolished.  

At the back of the house, Charlemagne showed a tight space in a doorway in what appeared to be the kitchen, where he said his father slept on a small sponge for a mattress. There were also a few kitchen utensils, some clothes, towels and a chair and a table in the space. 

Charlemagne revealed he suffered from a growing tympanic tumour for the past ten years, which made him ill. He is currently living at someone, said he could barely work and what little money he made could not assist with his father’s situation. 

When contacted, parliamentary representative and Minister of Housing Chris Gibbs said he had visited the neighbourhood before in search of Poleon but he was not there. He revealed that someone in the neighbourhood informed him that Poleon did not live at the home, but usually came there in the morning to hang out and then he left. 

“It is a situation where it is his community and if he lived in that community a long time, he would want to go back in that community because he has a bond with it,” Gibbs said. 

However, he assured he would go there on Wednesday in hopes of finding Poleon and determine a solution for him to rejoin his community. 

In response to the minister, Charlemagne confirmed his father lived in the home and he invited Gibbs to reach out to him so they could have a discussion about the situation.

US Navy admiral makes early exit

Nationnews Desk
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US Navy admiral makes early exit

MIAMI – The admiral in charge of US military forces in Latin America retired two years early on Friday, amid rising tensions with Venezuela that include Wednesday’s seizure of an oil tanker and more than 20 deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.

Three US officials and two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Admiral Alvin Holsey was pushed out by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Two officials said Hegseth had grown frustrated with Southern Command as he sought to flex US military operations and planning in the region.

One official confirmed that discussion of whether Hegseth would dismiss Holsey surfaced roughly two weeks before the surprise announcement of his departure.

Holsey announced on October 16 his intention to step down in December.

He has not publicly explained his early retirement. In remarks at his retirement ceremony on Friday morning, he was upbeat as he reflected on his 37-year-long career. Speaking between rows of palm trees at Southern Command headquarters in Miami, he called on the United States to keep standing by fellow democracies that share US values.

“We must always be there for like-minded partners, like-minded nations who share our values: democracy, rule of law and human rights,” Holsey said.

Some officials have privately speculated that he opposed the recent US strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean. However, in a closed-door meeting with senior lawmakers on Tuesday, Holsey insisted that his decision had nothing to do with the operations in his command, according to comments by Republican Representative Mike Rogers published in Politico.

Holsey formally handed over command to his deputy, Air Force Lieutenant General Evan Pettus, during a ceremony that extolled his accomplishments in uniform.

“You’re an extraordinary human who has always led with your heart, your head and gone all in (for) every single day of your service,” said General Dan Caine, who became the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April after his predecessor was fired.

Pettus will serve as acting head of US Southern Command. (Reuters)

Jamaica records decline in murders for this year

Nationnews Desk
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Jamaica records decline in murders for this year

KINGSTON – Jamaica is recording a decrease of more than 42 per cent in murder so far this year, according to the latest figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

It said that as of December 8, the country had recorded 630 murders as compared with 1 092 for the comparative period last year, a decline of 42.3 per cent.

The JCF is also reporting a significant decline in shootings with the figure standing at 642 as compared with 960 for the same period last year, a decline of 32.1 per cent.

The figure show that St. Catherine South, St. Andrew North, St. Ann and St. James are the areas where the murders have moved 50, reaching as high as 71.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the new figures are those the country has not seen in over three decades and it is a direct outcome of sustained anti-gang operations, legislative reform, intelligence coordination and the disciplined application of the clear, hold, build strategy within the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO).

“Let us be clear, gangs thrive where the State retreats. ZOSOs represent the permanent return of the State, security, social services, infrastructure, education, health and opportunity. We are returning the State to communities that were previously abandoned to criminal governance. The Zones do not merely suppress violence, they dismantle the ecosystem that allows gangs to recruit, extort, intimidate and control,” Holness said as he led off the debate on motions to extend the ZOSOs in seven communities across Jamaica.

Holness said that even as the country registers historic gains, his administration remains sober about the risks in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which has created new vulnerabilities, displacement, economic shock, psychological trauma and opportunities for criminal exploitation.

“This is precisely why ZOSOs are more relevant now than ever. They harden communities against regression; they prevent shocks from becoming opportunities for gangs to reassert control. They protect the gains that Jamaicans have sacrificed to achieve,” he added.

He said that the ZOSO extension will be an affirmation of success and a declaration of resolve.

“Jamaica has turned a corner, we are no longer managing violence, we are breaking its back and the Zones of Special Operations stand at the very centre of that historic national transformation,” he said, as Parliament later approved a 180-day extension of the Zones in Denham Town, West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew, and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland. (CMC)

Guyana to buy long-acting HIV prevention anti-retroviral

Nationnews Desk
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Guyana to buy long-acting HIV prevention anti-retroviral

GEORGETOWN – The government of Guyana intends to purchase an anti-retroviral known as lenacapavir, that scientists say can offer protection against Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) up to six months.

According to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), currently fetches a steep market price of about US$25 000. 

Anthony said Guyana was preparing to negotiate purchases of that drug at a lower price in another year or two. 

“We’re hoping that when it goes off patent that we’ll be able to access that medication at a cheaper cost which would then help. A lot of people have said that this can be a game-changer in terms of HIV care and so we’re working with our partners to see how we can access that medication,” he said.

The Health Minister signalled that government would offer lenacapavir free of cost if it becomes available at a lower off-patent price.

He pointed to South Africa, where an agreement was reached in September between the Clinton Health Access Initiative in partnership with the Gates Foundation and other groups, including South African research institute, Wits RHI for about US$40 — around 0.1 per cent of the original cost. 

The lower-cost version will be rolled out in 2027 across 120 low- and middle-income countries, the BBC reported.

Latest official figures show that 449 new HIV positive cases were reported last year in Guyana.  

Anthony said Guyana has detected 95 per cent of Guyanese know their HIV status and not all of those who are positive were taking treatment. 

He said government was also working to ensure that those, who are receiving treatment, are virally suppressed and so would be unable to transmit the virus. 

“That’s the ultimate goal and that’s what we’re working towards so we have done a lot of work in this area and we want to maintain it,” he added. (CMC)

Two independent senators sworn in

Nationnews Desk
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Two independent senators sworn in

Two independent senators, Dr Kenneth Connell and Monique Taitt, were sworn in today — the first under the leadership of President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic.

Attorney Taitt, who previously served under President Emerita The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, resigned at the end of her tenure along with former senator Dr Crystal Drakes. Taitt stated she appreciated being reinstated but declined further questions.

Connell, a long-standing advocate for healthy living, said he would continue to prioritise health and, as a senator, was also committed to contributing to Barbados’ development wherever needed.

Independent Senator Monique Taitt being sworn in this morning at State House.

Barjam pays tribute to media giants

Nationnews Desk
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Barjam pays tribute to media giants

The Barbados Association of Journalists & Media Workers (BARJAM) is mourning the loss of two pillars of Barbadian media, veteran journalist Albert Brandford and iconic broadcaster Maurice Norville, who died this week within hours of each other.

In a statement, BARJAM noted it was “deeply saddened by the deaths of two local media stalwarts, which both occurred in a very short space of time”, describing the moment as one of profound reflection for
the profession.

BARJAM first acknowledged the contribution of Brandford, whose formative years at The Advocate preceded a distinguished and decades-long career at The Nation Publishing Co. Limited. 

The association described Brandford as “a highly respected and award-winning journalist” widely admired for his political reporting and known for “his candid and biting political insights in his column”.

“He leaves a legacy of excellence in the field that lives on with us who follow,” BARJAM said, extending condolences to his family and friends.

Veteran broadcaster Maurice Norville (GP)

In regards to Norville, whose unmistakable voice shaped Barbadian radio for more than 50 years, the association said it was “shocked” to learn of the death of the veteran broadcaster, who worked with Barbados Rediffusion Service Limited and later Voice Of Barbados (VOB), calling him “a standard bearer for broadcasters of his era and, even to this day, [he] stands out as a model for modern generations of on-air presenters”.

“His articulation of the English language can be used as a blueprint for media professionals, particularly those in the electronic and digital media.”

Vice-president Emmanuel Joseph, who worked alongside Norville for nine years at Rediffusion, reflected on his colleague’s relentless commitment to proper speech.

“‘Maurice was always very focused on how well he spoke, even in casual conversations with his peers and so, when he got on the air, his correct pronunciation of words was just a natural continuum.”

Joseph added that the late broadcaster’s influence would remain indelible. 

“Maurice will be greatly missed as the impact of his professionalism, high standards of broadcasting and being a stickler for detail will linger on in the hearts and minds of practitioners, especially those who were of his vintage.”

The media entity extended condolences to he families of both Brandford and Norville. (NS/PR)

Barbadian Coward 2nd in IFBB Worlds

Stefan Walker
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Barbadian Coward 2nd in IFBB Worlds

Barbadian professional muscleman Lamar Coward has secured an impressive second-place finish at the 2025 International Fitness and Bodybuilding  (IFBB) Pro World Championships, held last weekend in Povoa de Lanhoso, Portugal.

Competing in the Classic Physique division, Coward tallied 16 points overall – scoring six in the opening round, four in round two, and another six in the final round. 

His total placed him just behind France’s Maxime Ratier, who claimed the title with 11 points (3, 5, 3). Portugal’s Duarte Gomes rounded out the top three.

Speaking from Italy, where he is spending time post-competition, Coward told Weekend Sport that he made key adjustments in his preparation leading into the championship.

“I came second at the Roger Boyce Classic in May, and after that I knew some changes needed to be made,” he explained.

“I actually hired a coach this time around. I’d been coaching myself for the last few years, but this prep I worked with Darren Farrow from Ireland through J3U Coaching.”

Coward said he had “no issues handing the reins over” to a coach, noting that bodybuilding is “a long-term experiment” where results often take months to become visible.

“A lot of the preparation comes down to the last few weeks, when you start seeing the hard work pay off – but you’re not always sure of the path,”
he said.

“Coaches help with the plan and the reassurance, based on experience.”

Entering the competition, Coward felt confident, especially after adding roughly 20 pounds of muscle to his frame – a strategic move he believed would make him more competitive based on past feedback.

The 2023 Roger Boyce Classic Physique champion said he has grown seasoned enough not to be rattled by the bright lights. By the time his name is announced, he already has his posing routines mentally locked in.

Music choice also plays a major role in presentation, and for Portugal, Coward opted for a classical shift, performing his choreographed routine to Vivaldi’s Winter, a selection he felt allowed him to highlight his strengths.

Coward admitted that final announcements always bring a moment of suspense, but experience helps athletes read the stage.

“You can kind of size up guys faster,” he said.

“Based on the posing, pre-judging, and how they shift you around in the final comparison, you get an idea –okay, I’m in the middle next to this guy, so they’re comparing us for first or second.”

At one point, Coward genuinely wondered if he might secure the win. When he was ultimately named runner-up, he described the feeling as “almost” – but still deeply rewarding.

“The beautiful thing is that it validates that you made a huge improvement,” he said.

“Regardless of whether you win or not, the fact that you improved and earned a better placing is a big moment. Winning isn’t everything – but sometimes being close to winning is just as good.” 

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