Carib Scope

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  • Caribbean tourism leaders to gather in New York for Caribbean Week 2026

    Caribbean tourism leaders to gather in New York for Caribbean Week 2026

    One of the Caribbean tourism sector’s most anticipated annual industry gatherings is gearing up to kick off in New York City next year, with top public and private sector stakeholders from across the region set to convene for Caribbean Week in New York 2026.

    Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the week-long event will open its doors on June 1, 2026, at the InterContinental New York Times Square, aligning perfectly with the annual observance of Caribbean American Heritage Month. Under this year’s central theme, “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” the gathering aims to unite industry voices to shape the future of the region’s $50 billion-plus tourism economy.

    A high-profile delegation will lead the event, including Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, Natalio Wheatley, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, and Ian Gooding-Edghill, CTO Chairman and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport. They will be joined by a broad cohort of tourism ministers, government commissioners, destination marketing directors and C-suite executives from leading regional and international hospitality, travel and aviation brands.

    In comments ahead of the gathering, Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General and CEO, framed the event as far more than a networking session: it is a critical strategic hub for the entire Caribbean tourism ecosystem. “Caribbean Week in New York is a critical platform for collaboration, strategy development and celebration of our region’s tourism industry,” Regis-Prosper said. “We are delighted to welcome Governor Bryan, Premier Wheatley, Minister Gooding-Edghill and senior tourism leaders from across the Caribbean as we highlight the strength, resilience and infinite potential of our destinations.”

    The event’s opening day will feature a stacked lineup of keynotes and addresses. Governor Bryan is scheduled to deliver remarks to attendees during the official opening ceremony on June 1, while Gooding-Edghill will deliver the conference’s flagship opening keynote address. Wheatley will join the CTO Council of Ministers for a popular featured panel discussion, “Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes,” which will touch on pressing challenges and emerging opportunities across the region’s top destinations.

    Over the course of the week, attendees will take part in a diverse roster of programming focused on the most pressing issues facing Caribbean tourism. Workshops, strategy meetings, networking mixers and industry roundtables will cover topics ranging from sustainable tourism development and inclusive growth to next-generation destination marketing, expanding air connectivity, and integrating new technology to improve visitor experiences.

    Standout events on the full schedule include a one-day dedicated marketing conference for destination and industry marketing teams, the annual Caribbean Media Awards honoring outstanding travel journalism focused on the region, and the CTO Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon, which supports the next generation of Caribbean tourism professionals. The 2026 event will also mark the official debut of CTO TV, the organization’s new digital media platform, alongside a curated tourism marketplace connecting media and travel trade professionals with destination representatives. An allied members showcase breakfast will highlight the work of industry partners, and the event will host the official launch of a new regional supply-side tourism development initiative aimed at strengthening local participation in the sector.

    Caribbean Week 2026 has drawn broad backing from a diverse group of regional and international sponsors spanning governments, hospitality brands, aviation companies and travel technology firms. The United States Virgin Islands holds the event’s top Platinum Elite sponsorship level, while Antigua and Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands serve as Gold Elite sponsors. Additional tiered sponsors include The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Global Ports Holding, Grenada, Sandals Resorts, SITA, Barbados, Sojern, Travel & Adventure Show, and Trove Tourism Development Advisors. Contributing sponsorship comes from Bay Gardens Resorts, Carnival Corporation in partnership with Acordis International Corp., Diamonds International, Expedia Group, Sunrise Airways, Travel Unity, TRÈFLE and Virgin Voyages. The Inter-American Development Bank and Royal Caribbean International are partnering to support the event’s Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase, which highlights innovative young leaders and startups in the Caribbean travel space.

  • Commonwealth recognises Saint Lucia as model for public debt management

    Commonwealth recognises Saint Lucia as model for public debt management

    Small Island Developing States across the global policy landscape share a common set of fiscal challenges, particularly when it comes to managing public debt. Today, one Caribbean nation stands out as a trailblazer in this space: Saint Lucia has earned official acclaim from the Commonwealth Secretariat for its far-reaching public debt management reforms, cementing its status as a blueprint for peer nations facing similar fiscal pressures.

    The island nation’s finance department-led overhaul of its debt governance framework has drawn such praise that the Commonwealth Secretariat is now producing a feature documentary to walk other member states through Saint Lucia’s modernization journey. The documentary will be distributed across the Commonwealth’s social media channels and broadcast partners spanning the Caribbean and Pacific, where many small island states grapple with comparable debt management hurdles.

    At the core of Saint Lucia’s transformation is a strategic adoption of new digital infrastructure: the Commonwealth Meridian Debt Management System. This cloud-based, web-enabled platform was rolled out in 2019, making Saint Lucia the first Caribbean country to implement the tool. The system grants government officials real-time, centralized access to comprehensive debt data, streamlining processes for tracking repayment obligations, mitigating lending risks and monitoring lender exposure.

    Reforms, spearheaded by the government’s Debt and Investment Unit, have delivered more than just technological upgrades. According to senior officials, the overhauls have dramatically boosted fiscal transparency, tightened evidence-based policy decision-making, and positioned the island as a regional leader in 21st-century debt governance. These gains have already reinforced Saint Lucia’s standing as a responsible borrower in global markets.

    Imran Williams, Director of Finance for Saint Lucia, emphasized the critical role of the partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat in driving these changes. Beyond the adoption of the Meridian platform, the Secretariat provided targeted support for revising the nation’s Public Debt Management Act, refining day-to-day operational protocols, and building institutional capacity within the Debt and Investment Unit. Williams noted that robust, transparent debt management is non-negotiable for retaining investor confidence, a key pillar that allows the government to continue funding critical national development projects in a sustainable, responsible manner.

    For Vera John-Emmanuel, Deputy Director of Finance overseeing the Debt and Investment Unit, the true test of the Meridian system’s value came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When public sector operations were forced remote to slow virus spread, the platform allowed debt servicing teams to keep working seamlessly, all while meeting mandatory international and domestic reporting deadlines on schedule.

    Snobar Abbasi, Senior Communications Officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat, explained that the documentary is just one part of a broader organizational initiative to highlight successful collaborative debt management outcomes across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc. By elevating the Saint Lucia model, the Secretariat aims to equip other small island developing states with actionable insights to strengthen their own fiscal frameworks.

    Following the completion of reforms, Saint Lucia’s government reports tangible progress: the overhauls have deepened fiscal openness, elevated the standards of public financial management across the public service, and cemented the island’s reputation for disciplined, responsible debt governance moving forward.

  • Bajan entrepreneur among Caribbean POSH award honourees

    Bajan entrepreneur among Caribbean POSH award honourees

    As the regional nonprofit Caribbean POSH prepares to mark a decade of empowering women across the Caribbean, six outstanding women who have driven progress across the region’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors have been selected to receive top honors at the 2026 Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards, to be held next month in the British Virgin Islands.

    The awards gala, scheduled for June 26, is the centerpiece of Caribbean POSH Weekend 2026, a six-day celebration of regional excellence running from June 25 to 30. This year’s event carries a special milestone theme: “10 Years of Purpose and POSH,” honoring 10 years of the organization’s work lifting up women leaders across the Caribbean.

    Among the 2026 honourees is Dr. Legena Henry, a Barbados-based entrepreneur and leading sustainability advocate who founded and leads Rum & Sargassum, a social enterprise turning one of the Caribbean’s most pressing ecological threats into marketable opportunity. Event organizers recognize Henry for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship. Her work re-frames widespread sargassum blooms and other climate-driven environmental challenges as avenues for inclusive economic growth, while pushing regional stakeholders to prioritize climate resilience and green innovation across the Caribbean.

    Henry is joined by five other distinguished honourees from across the region. The list includes Cora Richardson-Hodge, the Premier of Anguilla; Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization; Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands; Hilma Roebuck, a veteran regional media executive; and Lynette Harrigan, a senior tourism official based in the British Virgin Islands.

    Janette Brin, founder and CEO of Caribbean POSH, noted that each of this year’s honourees exemplifies how women’s leadership is reshaping the Caribbean’s future. Through consistent demonstration of resilience, forward-thinking innovation, and purpose-driven action, these women have driven meaningful change across key sectors critical to the region’s growth. “This year’s honourees represent visionary leadership, resilience, innovation, and impact at a time when the region is navigating important conversations surrounding economic growth, sustainability, tourism, entrepreneurship, and regional collaboration,” Brin shared in a statement announcing the honourees.

    The upcoming 10th anniversary celebration brings together stakeholders from across the Caribbean and beyond to recognize the contributions of women leaders who have worked to advance the region, while laying the groundwork for greater collaboration and inclusive progress in the years ahead.

  • UN says Ebola response in DR Congo faces challenges amid rising suspected cases

    UN says Ebola response in DR Congo faces challenges amid rising suspected cases

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with an accelerating Ebola outbreak that has sent suspected case and death counts climbing, prompting global health bodies and humanitarian networks to ramp up emergency interventions on the ground. Latest figures compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) put the total number of suspected infections above 900, with roughly 220 people already suspected to have died from the virus, underscoring the rapid spread of the disease across affected regions.

    As global response efforts intensify, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced plans to travel to the DRC to personally oversee and coordinate the outbreak response, according to a spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General. In a recent public update shared via social media, Tedros outlined that the WHO and 55 partner humanitarian organizations are already embedded in impacted communities, delivering not just Ebola-specific care but also critical basic health services, including life-saving treatment for acute malnutrition that disproportionately endangers local children and vulnerable groups.

    WHO technical and operational teams are working hand-in-hand with DRC national health authorities across nearly every pillar of outbreak control. Their work spans critical activities ranging from tracking close contacts of confirmed cases to managing active infections, upgrading infection prevention protocols in healthcare facilities, strengthening local laboratory capacity to process test results quickly, running dedicated Ebola treatment centers, engaging local community leaders to build trust, and communicating clear public health guidance to at-risk populations.

    Despite this coordinated push, major barriers continue to hinder the response. The UN has issued a stark warning that persistent insecurity and active violence in some of the most heavily affected hard-to-reach areas have thrown major logistical and safety challenges in the path of response teams, severely limiting their ability to reach isolated, vulnerable communities that need care the most.

    Working in close partnership with the DRC national government, the UN and its humanitarian allies are moving forward with plans to expand emergency operations, while also working to address the broader long-standing humanitarian and healthcare gaps that leave communities more vulnerable to Ebola spread. The UN spokesperson emphasized that two critical needs remain unmet: urgent, sustained funding to scale up operations, and guaranteed safe access for response teams. These resources are essential not only to protect frontline responders from infection, but to ensure they can deliver comprehensive care and full life-saving aid packages to every community impacted by the outbreak.

  • Hilaire says no threat to tourists despite crime wave

    Hilaire says no threat to tourists despite crime wave

    A recent uptick in violent criminal activity across the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has sparked widespread anxiety among both local residents and the international travel community, putting new pressure on government leaders to address public safety as the country’s cornerstone tourism industry hangs in the balance. As the largest contributor to Saint Lucia’s national economy, tourism is inherently sensitive to perceptions of safety, and growing public discourse on social media and community forums has amplified worries over whether travelers can remain secure amid the shifting crime landscape.

    In an official address to reporters ahead of the latest cabinet meeting, Saint Lucia’s Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire stepped forward to clarify the government’s position on the crisis, pushing back against growing unease over tourist safety. Acknowledging he is not a trained criminologist and that full formal analysis of the latest crime data is still ongoing, Hilaire outlined key preliminary findings that draw a clear geographic and demographic line between recent crime incidents and tourist zones. He emphasized that the overwhelming majority of violent offenses reported in the current wave have occurred far outside the concentrated resort and recreational areas that attract international visitors.

    “There is a very clear differentiation between the types of crimes that take place across the island,” Hilaire explained. “Our visitors tend to gather in spaces that are not normally where day-to-day criminal activity occurs. What we have seen in this latest wave is primarily a surge in domestic violence. There has been no corresponding upsurge in criminal activity targeting the areas or the visitor populations that form the core of our tourism sector.”

    Now serving his second term at the helm of Saint Lucia’s tourism ministry, Hilaire highlighted a key policy step the government has already taken to reinforce tourist protection: the reinstatement of the island’s specialized Rangers Unit, a dedicated security force deployed specifically to safeguard travel hotspots. “We now have a significantly expanded security presence both in local communities and in all the common areas that visitors frequent,” he noted. While Hilaire stressed that full expert analysis is still needed to determine root causes of the crime increase – including links to gun access and the prevalence of domestic disputes – he maintained that there is currently zero credible threat to international travelers on the island. “To date, there have been no formal reports of visitors feeling unsafe during their stay in Saint Lucia,” he added.

    Hilaire and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre have jointly urged local residents and media outlets to avoid sensationalized coverage of the rising crime rate, warning that overblown narratives could cause lasting damage to Saint Lucia’s global reputation as a safe, desirable travel destination at a time when the sector is still recovering from pandemic-related disruptions.

  • Campbell backs fresh start ahead of Sri Lanka showdown

    Campbell backs fresh start ahead of Sri Lanka showdown

    As the West Indies men’s cricket squad enters its second day of high-performance training at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, opening batsman John Campbell has voiced strong confidence in the team’s preparation, saying a unified tactical approach and full team commitment have put the side in a strong position heading into their upcoming One Day International series against Sri Lanka.

    In an exclusive interview with Cricket West Indies Media, Campbell shared his first impressions of the camp’s early sessions, noting that the work the group has put in already is starting to show tangible progress. “Our morning session went really smoothly today,” Campbell explained. “We’ve had structured plans in place for a while, and the way we’ve been rolling those out across these training sessions is really encouraging. We even held detailed conversations before this camp about what we need to adjust and improve as a unit, and right now, it feels like every single player has bought into the vision. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

    Unlike routine pre-series training camps that focus primarily on fitness refreshers, this 10-day intensive program carries much greater long-term weight for the West Indies. Team leadership has framed the camp as both a direct launchpad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, set to be played in Jamaica, and a foundational building block for an ambitious 18-month-wide strategy to reverse the team’s recent fortunes in the 50-over international format.

    For Campbell, however, the focus right now stays rooted in the immediate challenge ahead. He emphasized that the team is taking a one-game-at-a-time approach to avoid overlooking any matchup. “Obviously, every international series matters a lot, every game carries real weight for us,” Campbell said. “If we can step onto the pitch and execute our game plan and skills consistently, we’ll put ourselves in a great position to succeed.”

    The opening batter also zeroed in on what he sees as the most critical factor for securing a series win: early momentum. Campbell argued that getting off to a fast start in the series would pay huge dividends down the line. “I truly think that if we can start well, if we can grab a win in that opening game, it will give us all the momentum we need to push through and take the series,” he said. “Once you have that solid early platform, you can just keep building on it game after game throughout the whole series.”

    Over at Coolidge Cricket Ground, the facility has been a buzzing hub of intense activity throughout the camp. Players have completed grueling skill drills, run through full simulated match scenarios to prepare for game-day conditions, and participated in multiple in-depth tactical planning sessions. Coaching staff have made discipline and consistent execution of game plans core priorities for the entire duration of the 10-day program, as the squad finalizes its preparation for the Sri Lanka series.

  • Belizean Man Killed After Being Struck by Bus in New York

    Belizean Man Killed After Being Struck by Bus in New York

    A devastating traffic tragedy on Staten Island, New York has left the tight-knit Belizean immigrant community and the family of 72-year-old Leton Meyers in mourning, as loved ones push the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to release full transparency about the circumstances that led to his fatal death on May 15.

    Originally from Burrell Boom, Belize, Meyers had built a life in New York City for decades, settling in the West New Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island after immigrating. According to initial investigations from the New York Police Department’s Collision Investigation Squad, the fatal incident unfolded at a local bus stop. As the MTA bus began pulling away from the curb, Meyers stumbled backward into the roadway, and the vehicle’s rear tires struck him, causing catastrophic injuries. The family confirmed he died from severe blunt force trauma sustained in the collision.

    To date, the MTA has not released a full public disclosure of the incident’s details, leaving the grieving family to navigate their loss while demanding a complete explanation of how the preventable tragedy unfolded. In a heartfelt public statement, Meyers’ family remembered him as a generous community builder who dedicated his life to opening his home to anyone in need. “This was a man who spent his life opening his home to everyone and building community,” the statement read. “To lose him in such a violent and horrific way has shattered our family. We are grieving while also searching for accountability and answers from the MTA about how this happened.”

    Meyers was born and raised in Burrell Boom, where he completed his education at St. John’s Technical School before moving to the United States to build his career. A skilled and knowledgeable technician, he spent decades working for major industry firms including Ricoh and Ikon, earning a reputation across his field for unwavering dedication and sharp technical expertise.

    Alongside his wife Effie, Meyers turned their Staten Island home into a safe haven for neighbors, friends, extended family, foster children, and any person seeking support or a sense of belonging. Effie shared that her husband’s core value was making everyone feel like part of the family: “He wanted people to feel like family. No one left our home hungry, unwelcome, or alone.”

    Meyers is survived by his wife Effie, two adult children Samantha and VaSeann, and granddaughter Jaslene. Jaslene emphasized that the family wants Meyers remembered for the kind, generous man he was, not the violent circumstances of his passing: “My Grandpa didn’t deserve to die that way. We want him to be remembered for who he was, not how or why he died.”

    Notably, Samantha Meyers described the incident as a tragedy that impacted all parties involved, extending quiet empathy to the bus driver as well as her father. “It was a tragic accident for both parties, for the driver of the bus and for him,” she told the New York Daily News.

    A well-known and beloved figure in Staten Island’s growing Central American immigrant community, Meyers leaves behind a legacy of radical generosity, warm hospitality, and deep pride in his Belizean heritage that touched dozens of lives across the city.

    In the wake of his sudden passing, Jaslene has launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost of funeral arrangements and end-of-life expenses, explaining that the goal is to give her grandfather the dignified burial he was denied: “Every person deserves a dignified end of life. He was robbed of that and we want to make sure we give him that as we lay him to rest.”

  • Angry Men Storm Ebola Hospital Seeking Bodies of Loved Ones

    Angry Men Storm Ebola Hospital Seeking Bodies of Loved Ones

    A fresh wave of violence has disrupted Ebola response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s eastern region, marking the third attack on treatment infrastructure in just seven days. On Sunday, a group of agitated relatives forced their way into Mongbwalu General Hospital, a facility that cares for confirmed and suspected Ebola patients, with the group demanding access to the bodies of two family members who had died from the virus. The incursion sparked gunfire across the facility, forcing all medical and support staff to evacuate immediately.

    Dr. Richard Lokudu, the hospital’s medical director, confirmed the details of the assault in an interview with the Associated Press, noting that as of initial reports, the full extent of injuries among staff, attackers, or patients remained unconfirmed. This attack came on the heels of two other violent incidents that have shaken local Ebola response operations. Just 24 hours before the hospital storming, local residents set fire to a treatment tent operated by Doctors Without Borders in the same town of Mongbwalu, forcing 18 people under monitoring for Ebola to flee the site. Earlier that same week, a separate treatment center in the nearby community of Rwampara was completely burned down after authorities denied family members access to the body of a person who had died from a suspected Ebola infection.

    The rising unrest, paired with accelerating transmission of the virus, has prompted Congolese public health authorities to implement new restrictions in the northeastern part of the country. Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, and the bodies of deceased Ebola patients carry extremely high contagion risk. To curb further spread, officials have banned traditional funeral wakes, which often involve close contact with the deceased, and prohibited any public gatherings of more than 50 people.

    Tragically, the risks facing frontline response workers have already been realized. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has confirmed that three of its volunteers, who were tasked with handling and safely burying Ebola-infected bodies in Mongbwalu, have died after contracting the virus themselves during their work.

    As unrest disrupts response operations, the Ebola outbreak itself continues to grow at an alarming rate. Congolese communications ministry data shows suspected cases have jumped to 904, a sharp increase from the 700-plus cases recorded just days prior. Official death toll estimates remain inconsistent, with reported figures ranging from 119 to 220 confirmed and suspected fatalities.

    The World Health Organization has already upgraded the national risk level of the outbreak to “very high” in recognition of growing local transmission and disrupted response. Even so, the agency emphasized that the overall risk of global spread from this outbreak remains low, thanks to existing global public health surveillance and response frameworks.

  • Uitspraak CCJ bevestigt noodzaak van versterking rechtsstaat in Suriname

    Uitspraak CCJ bevestigt noodzaak van versterking rechtsstaat in Suriname

    When a private citizen is forced to turn to a top regional judicial body to secure protection of their fundamental human rights, that fact alone sends a stark warning about the health of a nation’s rule of law. That is the core assessment released by BINI, the Surinamese Citizen’s Initiative for Participation and Good Governance, following a landmark ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

    The CCJ’s judgment in the case of Derek Ramsamooj v. the State of Suriname reaffirms the non-negotiable importance of upholding the rule of law, universal human rights, and accessible, effective legal protection for every member of society. At its core, the case addresses a foundational question for every democratic society: Can every citizen, regardless of their political beliefs, ethnic background, nationality, or social standing, count on a fair trial, humane treatment, and robust defense of their basic rights?

    The Ramsamooj case was already cited as a key example of broader systemic flaws in Suriname’s criminal justice system in a 2024 shadow report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (CCPR) by local NGO Projekta, in partnership with the VIDS institute and the national LGBT Platform. The report detailed multiple allegations of rights violations connected to the case, including prolonged pre-trial detention without timely access to legal counsel, lack of adequate medical care for detained persons, unnecessary barriers to accessing the judiciary, language and translation gaps during court proceedings, and widespread questions about consistent compliance with the right to a fair trial. It placed the Ramsamooj case within a larger pattern of systemic failures affecting access to justice, legal aid, language access, and the practical enforcement of procedural rights for all Surinamese citizens.

    The CCJ’s ruling in this high-profile case makes clear why strong, independent rule-of-law institutions are a non-negotiable pillar of a functioning democratic society. It also highlights a critical truth: human rights and rule-of-law safeguards are not abstract legal concepts reserved for textbooks—they deliver tangible protection to ordinary people when their most basic rights are under threat.

    BINI’s own recent assessment, included in a joint 2026 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) shadow report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in April 2025 alongside nine partner civil society organizations, draws further attention to deep structural gaps in Suriname’s national human rights framework. The report confirms that Suriname still lacks a fully operational National Human Rights Institute that meets the UN-endorsed Paris Principles, the global standards for independent national human rights bodies. Compounding this gap, the country’s Constitutional Court has not operated at full capacity since May 2025, as critical judicial appointments to the body have been repeatedly delayed by political actors.

    These institutional failures have left Surinamese citizens without a functional national mechanism to conduct constitutional review of legislation and government action against fundamental rights and the country’s binding international human rights obligations. When citizens have no choice but to turn to regional or international judicial bodies to enforce their most basic rights, BINI and its partners argue, that is clear evidence that national rights protection mechanisms are not working as they should.

    In response to these findings, the coalition of civil society organizations has issued five urgent demands to Suriname’s government and National Assembly: First, immediately complete all required steps to make the Constitutional Court fully operational without further delay. Second, formally establish and launch a fully independent National Human Rights Institute aligned with the Paris Principles. Third, strengthen and expand access to legal aid and legal protection for all citizens across the country. Fourth, systematically embed Suriname’s international human rights obligations into all levels of national policy and legislation. Fifth, implement all rulings from national, regional, and international judicial bodies fully and transparently, without exception.

  • Organisers hoping for bigger, better BIMFC in 2027

    Organisers hoping for bigger, better BIMFC in 2027

    Fresh off the conclusion of the 2024 edition of the Barbados Invitational Masters Football Classic (BIMFC) — the largest over-age football festival in the Caribbean — the event’s organizing committee vice-chairman Trevor Thorne is renewing his call for increased public and private financial backing, warning that a lack of investment could see the popular tournament poached by neighboring islands with far stronger government support.

    In an exclusive interview with local outlet Barbados TODAY, Thorne explained that the BIMFC, which pioneered the regional masters football movement, now faces growing competitive pressure from copycat events launching across Caribbean islands. Many of these rival tournaments benefit from substantial state funding that the BIMFC has yet to secure, putting the long-standing Barbadian event at a critical disadvantage.

    “If we continue to lag behind in securing this kind of support, there is a real risk that the BIMFC concept could be exported elsewhere, where it will grow into an even stronger event with the resources available to it,” Thorne warned. He added that losing the tournament would deal a significant blow to Barbados’ already tourism-dependent national economy, noting that the BIMFC generates consistent off-season economic activity by drawing hundreds of visiting players and their accompanying travel parties every year.

    Thorne pointed to the UK-based Cockney Rebels, one of the event’s most loyal participating teams, as a clear example of the tournament’s economic ripple effect. This year alone, the club expanded its presence from one 30-player squad to two squads totaling almost 70 athletes. During their stay in Barbados, visiting players rent vehicles, book accommodation at local hotels and guesthouses, pay for inter-match transportation, dine at local restaurants, purchase groceries, and spend money on locally made souvenirs — all revenue that stays in the Barbadian community.

    “As organizers, we have long punched above our weight to keep this event running and growing, but more support would translate directly to greater benefits for Barbados’ tourism, our local masters football community, and the national economy as a whole,” Thorne said.

    Beyond funding, Thorne also revealed that organizers are actively exploring venue changes for the 2025 tournament to address player feedback around playing surface quality. This year, unseasonable drought left several natural grass fields in poor condition, forcing organizers to shift some matches to alternate surfaces. Thorne noted that trial matches held at the Usain Bolt Complex were well received, and organizers are even considering a bold proposal to host matches at Kensington Oval, widely considered the mecca of Barbadian sport.

    “Interest for next year’s tournament is already building, with many players saying they are eager to return, but they have asked for improved playing surfaces as a reasonable condition,” Thorne explained. “We’ve already identified a shortlist of potential new venues, and if we can work out a proposal to bring matches to Kensington Oval, I have no doubt players would be absolutely delighted.”

    This year’s tournament featured newly added age divisions, including a 60-and-Over category, where The Old Boys’ Club claimed the inaugural title, finishing ahead of runners-up Black Rock Masters, third-place Cockney Rebels, and fourth-place Blue Cloud. In the other new division, 55-and-Over, Adrian “AD” Best led Paradise to a dominant 3-0 victory over Zepherins Pinelands to take the gold.

    In the tournament’s most coveted division, the Over-50s category, UK-based Cockney Rebels secured the title after a tense final against Royalty Ballers, with Rob Margrave scoring the match-winning penalty to clinch the win. The final match of the tournament saw goalkeeper Dwayne Webb deliver a Man-of-the-Match performance, stopping two crucial shots to lead Carib Wildey Masters to victory over second-place Empire Club.

    Organizers also used the post-tournament press briefing to offer their sincere condolences following the unexpected passing of 59-year-old Audley Taffe, a visiting player from Canada’s Global Masters Football team, who collapsed suddenly at the Kickstart Playing Field in Wildey on the tournament’s second Saturday.