After a week of high-level meetings, venue assessments and cultural engagements across Barbados, the top leadership of Commonwealth Sport has declared the organization’s first executive board visit to the Caribbean nation a resounding success.
In closing remarks delivered at a press briefing hosted at Hilton Barbados last week, Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare highlighted the multiple productive outcomes of the trip, beyond the formal scheduled business. Beyond the warm hospitality extended by local organizers, Rukare noted that the board secured valuable face time with senior Barbadian leadership, including President of Barbados and the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports.
During their stay, board members also toured the island’s existing sports infrastructure, explored key tourist and cultural landmarks, and got a first-hand taste of Barbados’ beloved local pastime: road tennis. “That cultural connection was just as important as our formal business,” Rukare told reporters.
Looking ahead, the organization’s immediate top priority is the smooth delivery of the 26th edition of the Commonwealth Games, set to kick off in Glasgow, Scotland in the coming months. Rukare confirmed that the organization is already in full preparation mode, and expressed excitement for strong participation from Barbados and other Caribbean nations at the multi-sport event.
Commonwealth Sport Chief Executive Officer Katie Sadleir expanded on the key business outcomes of the Barbados meetings, noting that the board advanced progress on several critical governance priorities. The most significant action taken was the formal approval of the organization’s annual business plan for the coming fiscal year, which aligns with the group’s existing 10-year long-term strategic framework. As is standard annual practice, the board conducted a full review of the 10-year strategy during the meeting to update key priorities and align upcoming work with evolving member needs. The board also signed off on the full budget tied to the newly approved business plan, Sadleir confirmed.
One topic that gained attention during the visit was the push to add road tennis, a popular Barbadian homegrown sport, to the official Commonwealth Games lineup. Sandra Osbourne, President of the Barbados Olympic Association and Commonwealth Sport Vice-President, shared that while local leaders strongly support the eventual inclusion of the sport, the path to formal recognition comes with significant structural hurdles.
Osbourne explained that the dual mandate of the local organization, which serves both as the national Commonwealth Sport association and the Barbados Olympic Association, requires it to only formally recognize sports that already hold International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition. At present, road tennis has not secured that IOC status, meaning it cannot be formally affiliated or recognized by the local body.
Still, Osbourne emphasized that the organization remains committed to supporting the Barbadian government’s goal of growing and promoting the sport, even with the structural limitations. “Whenever we are asked, we work collaboratively with the government to map the path forward, and have shared clear guidance on the steps required to achieve international recognition and eventual inclusion in the Games,” she noted, adding that the group is still learning the process itself as it supports the local push for road tennis.