Barbados declares national mourning as Sir Gary to receive State Funeral

Barbados has declared Friday, July 17, a Day of National Mourning following the death of National Hero The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, with the Government also announcing that the cricket legend will be accorded a State Funeral.

In a national address on Friday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said a second Day of National Mourning would be observed on the day of Sir Gary’s interment. On both occasions, there will be no official Government functions.

“The Government has declared today, July 17, a Day of National Mourning. There will also be a Day of National Mourning on the day of interment of Sir Garfield. On these two days there will be no official functions,” Mottley announced.

She added that the National Flag would be flown at half-staff with immediate effect and remain so until Sir Gary’s interment.

“The flag will immediately be flown at half-staff and will remain so until the interment of Sir Gary.”

The Prime Minister said Senator Lisa Cummins had been given responsibility for coordinating the State Funeral alongside the Cabinet Office and the Barbados Defence Force, with further details on the funeral arrangements to be announced.

“Further information regarding the place and date of the State Funeral and all other arrangements will be provided by Senator Lisa Cummins, who has been given the responsibility of coordinating the funeral with Cabinet Office and the Barbados Defence Force,” she said.

Describing the announcement as “a solemn hour” for Barbados, Mottley said the country, the region and the wider cricketing world were mourning one of their greatest sons.

“It is with profound sadness that I now advise the people of Barbados, the region and the wider cricketing world of the passing of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, our beloved Sir Gary.”

She extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados to Sir Gary’s children, Matthew, Daniel and Genevieve, his stepchildren Stuart and Trisha, his grandchildren, his former wife Prue, his brother Cecil, as well as his extended family, friends and admirers around the world.

Closing her tribute, the Prime Minister said: “Sir Gary, Barbados stands for you. The West Indies stands for you. The world stands for you.

“For an innings that was so well played, Sir Gary, so well played. We will always love you.”