Barbados Discusses Enhancing Sports & Culture With Cuba

BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG – JAN 10, 2024 

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, greets Cuban Ambassador to Barbados, Yanet Stable Cárdenas at their courtesy call today. Looking on is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charley Browne. (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment)

Developing Barbados’ sports and culture sectors was the focal point of discussion between the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Barbados, Yanet Cárdenas, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith.

The discussion took place today during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s headquarters, Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

Minister Griffith noted that over the 51-year relationship, the two countries have enjoyed “positive interaction” in the area of sports, and Barbados looks forward to strengthening the involvement in culture, especially film and arts.

Ambassador Cárdenas concurred that the bilateral relationship has been one of harmonious cooperation, and going forward her country is willing to provide further technical assistance.  This assistance would involve bringing elite sportspersons from Cuba to conduct seminars and train coaches, physical education teachers, and athletes.

Mr. Griffith welcomed the offer and said that Barbados could reciprocate and assist Cuba in the area of cricket, as well as teach the island’s indigenous sport, road tennis.

The Minister told the envoy that “one of the things that we want to do here at the Ministry is to formulate programmes that offer longevity and consistency that will benefit the island’s youth”.  In response, Ambassador Cárdenas said: “We have many, many interests in common, and I think we have the potential to develop and increase this relationship.”

During the meeting, the two officials also spoke about the exchange of coaching staff and students; sports and medical scholarships; sporting tournaments; digital media, and enhancing the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and Cuba.

Also present at the courtesy call were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Charley Browne; Foreign Service Officer II, Disa Lewis; and Consul in Cuba’s Embassy in Barbados, Olga Dalmau.

Barbados and Cuba established diplomatic relations on December 8, 1972.