Prime Minister’s Cup a stepping stone to pro league

Minister of Youth, Sport, and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, has shared his vision for a future in which the nation’s love for football can grow into a sustainable semi-professional—and ultimately, professional—league.

Reflecting on the impact of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Cup, Griffith, during a press conference for the tournament at the Kensington Oval, underscored the government’s commitment to elevating local sports and fostering development pathways for Barbadian athletes. According to him, the tournament is a foundational step towards a larger goal of establishing structured, higher-level football leagues in Barbados.

Throughout the tournament, Griffith has maintained that the government’s goal is to create sustainable opportunities for athletes and officials to hone their skills in a semi-professional environment. He highlighted that the involvement of officials, who are gaining valuable experience in a competitive setting, is part of a broader mission to raise the standard of local sports. “We had a situation where 27 officials, I believe, are involved in this tournament, and it provides an opportunity for those officials to hone their skill in a tournament that is at a totally different level,” Griffith explained.

The minister pointed out that the semi-professional model of the Prime Minister’s Cup has demonstrated the potential for quality competition in Barbados. By taking these initial steps, the government hopes to foster a new culture of professionalism in sports, starting with football and expanding to other sports in the future.

“One of the things that I’m hoping for now is that other federations outside of football will take the mantle and run with it,” Griffith said, “and see how, if possible, we can have another two or so semi-professional tournaments in Barbados.”

He was also candid about the financial challenges that come with sustaining a semi-professional or professional sports league. While the government has played a major role in funding the Prime Minister’s Cup, Griffith acknowledged that external sponsorship would be essential for the long-term viability of any future league. “If this tournament is to survive, government cannot be the one who is holding the pot in its entirety every year,” he said, as he thanked Flow and other corporate sponsors for their role in making the current tournament possible.

The minister further expressed confidence that the success of the Prime Minister’s Cup would attract further interest from businesses, paving the way for sustained funding for a semi-professional league. “Based on what would have happened so far, the Prime Minister will give her a stamp of approval for this to continue in the second year,” he shared, suggesting that continued support from both the government and corporate sponsors would be key to making a semi-professional league a lasting reality.

Griffith believes that transitioning from a semi-professional to a professional league is an ambitious but achievable goal for Barbados. However, he stressed that building a professional sports environment requires time, discipline, and a shift in expectations for athletes, coaches, and team officials. He outlined some of the challenges that need to be addressed before taking the leap to full professionalism.

“To answer your question in a short way, no. We’re not ready for the full professional as yet,” Griffith stated. He suggested that Barbados might need “another couple of years fine-tuning the semi-professional level” before considering a full professional league. Griffith cited discipline and commitment as areas where improvements are needed, noting that a professional environment requires both players and coaches to approach the game with a higher level of dedication and rigour.

“I went to a match recently; I wouldn’t say which sport, but at halftime I heard one of the players walking in front of the coach and cursing like a pirate,” the minister remarked. He explained that to reach a professional standard, players must understand that they need to “function in a professional way.” This means committing to regular and intense training sessions, adhering to codes of conduct, and fostering a culture of respect both on and off the field.

Griffith pointed out the need for consistent, structured training, suggesting that athletes should commit to a rigorous regimen that includes strength training and regular practice. “You need to be able to function like a professional, and if you’re going to do that, then all of the things that are required in terms of strength training, in terms of you putting your body through the test, must be in place,” he explained. He was clear that simply attending practice sessions would not be enough to meet the demands of a professional league.

He further elaborated on his vision of developing a structured pathway for athletes to progress from grassroots sports to semi-professional and ultimately professional levels and urged stakeholders across the sports industry, from coaches to corporate sponsors, to work together towards this shared goal.

“What I’m saying is that we need to do a couple of things. The coaches need to hone their skills in terms of how they treat what they do with the players,” he said, emphasising the importance of professional development for coaches as well. Griffith also highlighted the need for a shift in mindset, where the best players understand that their talent comes with responsibility. “I can’t have my star player turning up 15 or 20 minutes late and starting every game because he knows that he’s the best on the team. It can’t work like that.” (RG)