Sport in Barbados

Sports in Barbados are many and varied. The large Barbadian diaspora around the globe and wide-scale availability of International television covered on the local cable service and DirectTV has meant that Barbadians have always been up to date on international trends. Barbadians now follow a wide cross-section of sport from across the world. In recent years, the Barbadian government has implemented a policy of sport-based tourism. Including the hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and various other events locally. Beyond this, the Barbadian calendar has many sporting events throughout the year.

Cricket

Main article: Cricket in the West Indies

Many Barbadians follow cricket religiously. Locally, cricket is governed by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA). Barbados has a national team which takes part in the Regional Four Day Competition, whereas the Barbados Tridents is a franchise team in the Caribbean Premier League. Additionally, Barbados has players that are a composite part of the West Indies cricket team. Barbados has a number of famous cricketers including: Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott, and Sir Frank Worrell. Cricket grounds include the Kensington Oval and the 3Ws Oval.

Basketball

See also: Barbados national basketball team

Barbados' basketball team has a unique history of international accomplishments. It was the only Caribbean team that qualified for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and celebrated several surprising victories. Overall, the team finished 5th, leaving behind South Africa, Scotland and India.

Further, it is one of the few Caribbean teams that qualified for the FIBA Americas Championship.

Football

Main article: Football in Barbados

Rugby Union

Main article: Rugby union in Barbados

Scouting and Guiding in Barbados

Main article: Scouting and Guiding in Barbados

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing in Barbados

Barbados is popular destination for kitesurfing and Windsurfing. Wind is blowing most of the year, and its best at December to March. Barbados has great wave for kitesurfers and windsurfers, and there are no flat water spots. Main kite and windsurf beach is Silver Rock at the south tip of the island.

Sport governing bodies

• Archery – Barbados Archery Association (BAA)
• Athletics (track and field) – Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB)
• Badminton – Barbados Badminton Association (BDA)
• Basketball – Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA)
• Bodybuilding – Barbados Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (BABBF)
• Boxing – Amateur Boxing Association of Barbados (ABAB)
• Cycling – Barbados Cycling Union (BCU)
• Darts – Barbados Darts Association (BDA)
• Equestrian – Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA)
• Football – Barbados Football Association (BFA)
• Golf – Barbados Golf Association (BGA)
• Hockey – Barbados Hockey Federation (BHF)
• Hockey (Ball) – Barbados Ball Hockey League (BBHL)
• Horse Racing – Barbados Turf Club (BTC)
• Polo – Barbados Polo Association (BPA)
• Polo (Segway) – Barbados Segway Polo Association (SPCB)
• Polo (Water) – Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA)
• Racing – Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) Barbados Rally Club (BRC)
• Road Tennis – Barbados (Professional) Road Tennis Association (BRTA)
• Sailing – Barbados Sailing Association (BSA)
• Squash – Barbados Squash Rackets Association (BSRA)
• Tennis – Barbados Tennis Association (BTA)
• Volleyball – Barbados Volleyball Association (BVA)

See also

• Barbados at the Commonwealth Games
• Barbados at the Olympics
• Barbados at the Paralympics

External links

• Sports tourism in Barbados: the development of sports facilities and special events, Yolande J. Elcock, Journal of Sport Tourism 10(2), 2005, 129–134
• Sport in Barbados - Totally Barbados
• Sport in Barbados - Barbados Tourism Encyclopaedia
• Sport in Barbados - Kiteboarding Guide Barbados