By Fabian Belgrave Feb 7, 2024
Minister of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith. receives a Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) Jersey from President of BFIT, Garth McIntyre. Looking on is Barbados Olympic Association, Secretary General, Erskine Simmons. (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment)
Barbados is poised to welcome the global triathlon community as it hosts two international and one regional triathlon events this year.
This was revealed today during the launch of the 2024 Barbados Triathlon Calendar, at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s headquarters, One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, emphasised the significance of these events for sports tourism, as he acknowledged the efforts of the past and present executive of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) in organising three upcoming events.
They are the World Triathlon Americas Cup on March 17; the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup and Training Camp from July 2 to 7; and the CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon, and Mixed Relays Championships from August 17 to 18.
Mr. Griffith underscored the importance of collaboration between the past and present leadership for sports development, praising BFIT as one of the proactive federations on the island.
“I want to first congratulate the former executive and the current executive for being one of the proactive federations on island. The fact that … the former president is sitting with the current executive to help point the way is absolutely something that is important as it relates to the development of sports on island,” he said.
He highlighted Government’s vision to cultivate talent from grassroots levels and expand participation to achieve podium finishes, stating: “It is important that if we’re going to grow any sports that we move from the grassroots level, and broaden the base, so that we can have the podium finishes….”
Minister Griffith also spoke of Government’s commitment to supporting talent identification by providing equipment and infrastructure.
“Government is prepared to assist, maybe a little further, in sourcing some junior bicycles, so that that particular demographic will not be disadvantaged. And, if we can put that in place, then you create your database, and in five years’ time, you’re able to then identify those individuals who you believe can transition into the national programme.”
The upcoming triathlon events are expected to attract nearly 300 participants, with some utilising them as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games, including Barbadian hopeful Matthew Wright.
Others attending today’s launch included President of BFIT, Garth McIntyre; PR and Marketing Officer BFIT, Ytannia Wiggins; Secretary General of the Barbados Olympic Association, Erskine Simmons; and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s Manager of Sports, Kamal Springer.
