From front left: Coordinator of the Courtesy Call, Roshanna Trim, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Hon. Charles Griffith, Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte and Principal Youth Development Officer, Andrea Titus, with members of the Scarborough Secondary School Alumni Association of Tobago.

Barbados is willing to explore the possible start-up of annual exchange visits with the Scarborough Secondary School Alumni Association of Tobago.

This disclosure from Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Honourable, Charles Griffith, following a courtesy call from some 20 members of the Scarbourough Alumni at his SKY Mall, Haggatt Hall , St. Michael offices on Friday June 14th. Minister Griffith welcomed the group to Barbados , telling them he hopes “this is the start of a partnership that is mutually beneficial to both parties, via the exchange of personnel through visits annually”.

President of the Scarbourough Secondary School Alumni Association, Kevon Mc Kenna stated that the group’s four-day tour has included visits to several places in Barbados including Harrison’s Cave and he’s inviting a Barbados’ team or past students to take part in a competition called “Capture the Flag,” next year in Tobago. Mr Mc Kenna says over three thousand people take part in the event, which is designed to engage all secondary schools, adding that the competition which started in 2016 will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025.

Once schools enter the competition they must form an association and raise funds to develop their communities. “Capture the Flag” is usually held in the month of July and is reportedly the largest sporting event in Tobago, with a massive economic spend, where several sports are played including football and netball. Mr Mc Kenna also extended an invitation to Barbadians to visit Tobago for their annual carnival which this year runs from October 25th to 27th. In reply Minister Griffith noted that “he’s always interested in seeing our young people travel and if this is such an occasion where it can be budgeted for as well, one of our teams can prepare for it.”

He added that he envisages a Tobago-Barbados Challenge and a community team visiting Scarbourough hosted by their alumni, that can show the Barbadians what’s happening there in sports, work and other activities. Minister Griffith believes if it’s properly organised they can be annual exchange visits from Barbados to Tobago and Tobago to Barbados, especially during the summer break.

Captain of the Scarborough Alumni team, Kelvon Charles presented Minister Griffith and Miss Trim with honorary shirts from the association. Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, Principal Youth Development Officer, Andrea Titus and other ministry officials also attended the Courtesy Call. The visit to Barbados by the Scarbourough Secondary School Alumni was co-ordinated by Miss Roshanna Trim.