Barbados and Cayman Islands have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations through youth exchange visits, cultural collaborations, and sporting partnerships.
The commitment was made on Tuesday, when the Cayman Islands’ Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Isaac Rankine, paid a courtesy call on Barbados’ Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, at the Ministry’s Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael office.
The Cayman Islands delegation is currently in Barbados for CARIFESTA XV.
Minister Griffith stressed Barbados’ openness to exchange programmes across a range of disciplines, highlighting the island’s indigenous sport of road tennis. He described the game as “a relatively low-cost sport with significant health benefits, played at a fast pace, and one which Barbados is proud to share with the region”.
He added that the summer months, between July and September, provide an ideal window for implementing youth exchanges.
Minister Rankine welcomed the proposal, stating that road tennis would complement existing sports in the Cayman Islands, such as pickleball, netball, cricket, football, and basketball.
He stated: “We encourage initiatives that allow our young people to broaden their horizons, and we are fully supportive of this proposed exchange.”
The discussions also addressed youth and cultural development programmes in both countries.
The Cayman Islands delegation highlighted their inter-generational hubs and cottages, which are designed to strengthen connections between seniors and youth, through the preservation of oral and written traditions. Chief Officer Teresa Echenique noted that “these initiatives ensure that knowledge and cultural practices are passed seamlessly from one generation to the next”.
The delegation also extended congratulations to Davonte Howell, a Barbadian-born Caymanian sprinter and recent gold medallist at the Junior Pan Am Games in Paraguay. Mr. Howell, a third-year student at the University of Tennessee, will represent the Cayman Islands at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
Minister Griffith applauded his success, saying: “We extend heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Howell and wish him every success at the World Championships. Both Barbados and the Cayman Islands will be cheering him on.” The Cayman Islands delegation commended Barbados on its successful hosting of CARIFESTA XV, describing it as “a well-organised celebration of Caribbean creativity and hospitality”.
Those present at the talks included Permanent Secretary Joy Adamson;Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte; and Principal Youth Development Officer, Andrea Titus; and Cayman Island’s Senior Policy Adviser, Tamisia Barnes, and Events Manager, Ventisha Conolly.
