Sports minister pays tribute to basketball ‘icon’ Dwight Rouse

Tributes continue to pour in for former Barbados basketball captain and veteran coach Dwight Rouse, with Minister of Sport and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith describing him as an icon whose influence on the game spanned more than five decades.

The former Barbados basketball captain and veteran National Sports Council coach, who also represented the Senators Club for several years, died on June 20 following a brief illness.

“I contend that his contribution to basketball in Barbados and his legacy will be remembered for decades to come, and Barbados will forever be grateful to this icon of basketball,” Minister Griffith said in a statement. 

During his playing career, Rouse was Barbados’ most capped player, standing at six feet, seven inches tall and being a formidable defensive anchor and a stellar player on the court.

He represented Barbados from 1978 and was captain of the men’s team which won the Caricom Basketball Championships in 1994.

Rouse was also a member of the team that travelled to Argentina in 1995 for pre-Olympic qualifiers and he continued playing at the national level until 1996, before ending his competitive playing career in 2014.

Perhaps his greatest achievements were off the court, where he helped to hone the talents of several children at the primary, secondary and club levels.

Rouse made a meaningful contribution as a National Sports Council coach for over 25 years and as a mentor at the grassroots level, playing key roles in the development of many players.

(PT)