Black Immigrant Daily News

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The Tobago Cadet Academy salutes during the 60th independence anniversary parade along the Claude Noel Highway, Scarborough, Wednesday. – David Reid

PAGEANTRY, style and precision marked Wednesday’s 60th anniversary Independence Day parade in Tobago.

After an absence of two years, owing to the covid19 pandemic, the event returned in fine style to the parade ground alongside the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

The parade, which took place under brilliant sunshine, saw eight armed detachments from the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, Coast Guard, Defence Force Reserves, Police Service and Cadet Force, march before a large crowd of spectators, many of whom had gathered at the site long before its 8.30am start.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is led through the ranks as he inspects the various armed detachments at the Indpendence Day Parade, at Parade Grounds, Dwight Yorke stadium, Bacolet, Wednesday. – David Reid

The armed detachments were led by the Bands and Corps of Drums of the Cadet Force.

Five unarmed detachments from the TT Fire Service, Prisons Service, Scouts Association and Pentecostal Crusaders also participated in the parade. They were accompanied by the Bands and Corps of Drums of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade.

“Is a whole two years I wait for this. I doh really go much things but ah doh miss this,” one woman told Newsday

THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and his wife Takyana Nedd, headed the list of dignitaries.

They were joined by THA Presiding Officer Abby Taylor, Deputy Chief Secretary Watson Duke and his wife and other assemblymen.

PNM Minority Leader Kelvon Morris and councillor Petal Daniel-Benoit also attended, as did Tobago MPs Shamfa Cudjoe and Ayanna Webster-Roy and former chief secretary Kelvin Charles and his wife Catherine.

Former assemblyman and Tobago Organisation of the People leader Ashworth Jack was also there.

Members of the public line the Claude Noel Highway on Wednesday to enjoy the Independence Day parade. – David Reid

The announcement of Augustine’s arrival drew loud applause from the crowd.

Augustine, who inspected his first Independence Day parade as chief secretary, was accompanied by Brigadier General Dexter Francis. The classic song, Come Leh We Go To Tobago, was played during the inspection.

During the parade, the audience applauded the immaculately attired service men and women, who marched to the music of Blaxx’s Same Way. It featured, for the first time, an all-female detachment from the Cadet Force

Many said they were pleased with the general standard of the marching and the large number of young people who participated in the event.

They were also impressed with the parade of the mechanical units, comprising cars, motorcycles, trucks and appliances from the TT Fire Service.

After the formal event at the parade ground, the various detachments marched along the Claude Noel Highway, onto Wilson Road, then to Garden Side car park, Scarborough.

Hundreds of onlookers from Calder Hall, Darrel Spring, Bagatelle and other neighbouring communities, lined the roadway to take in the impressive display of skill and discipline.

Many of them used their cellphones to capture the event.

“I real miss this, boy,” said a Bagatelle woman. “If is one time of the year ah does feel national pride is for Independence. But this year is a milestone.”

A member of the fire service blows his trumpet during the Independence Day parade along the Claude Noel Highway, Scarborough, Wednesday. – David Reid

During the march, police on motorbikes performed stunts on the road to the delight of many young men.

Firemen also used a spout on one of the appliances to spray water on the spectators along the route. This was the highlight of the street parade.

While some people tried to get away from the truck’s path, others, particularly children, urged the firemen to spray them with water.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Sports

Lee-Ann Kirby (left) and Natasha McLean punch fists during the Trinbago Knight Riders’ match against the Barbados Royals in their Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts on Wednesday. PHOTO COURTESY TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS. –

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) won a thrilling contest against Barbados Royals by one run in the opening match of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 tournament at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts, on Wednesday.

Royals needed 11 runs in the last over to win the contest. TKR captain and medium pacer Deandra Dottin, despite conceding a six, bowled a solid last over to lead the TT franchise to victory.

Royals, chasing 115 for victory, closed on 113/7 in 20 overs.

South African Chloe Tyron played an exceptional innings and at one stage Royals were on course for the win.

However, when Tyron fell for 38 off 26 balls (three fours, three sixes) the innings lost momentum.

Lee-Ann Kirby got the prized wicket of Tyron and some tight bowling by spinners Anisa Mohammed and Sune Luus kept Royals at bay.

Kirby ended as the best bowler for TKR with 2/32 in four overs of medium pace.

Opener Aaliyah Alleyne helped the Royals get off to a positive start with 19 off 28 deliveries.

Batting first, TKR posted 114/7 with Kirby hitting 30 off 30 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Hayley Jensen, who was excellent in the field, scored 20 not out off 18 balls and Dottin also chipped in with 20.

Royals captain Hayley Matthews was the chief destroyer taking 2/28 in four overs and Shakera Selman grabbed 2/16 in four overs.

Kirby won the player of the match award.

TKR will play Guyana Amazon Warriors on Thursday, from 3 pm.

A victory for TKR will guarantee a place in Sunday’s final at 2.30 pm at Warner Park.

Summarised Scores:

TKR 114/7 (20 overs) – Lee-Ann Kirby 30, Hayley Jensen 20 not out, Deandra Dottin 20; Shakera Selman 2/16, Hayley Matthews 2/28 vs BARBADOS ROYALS 113/7 (20 overs) – Chloe Tyron 38, Aaliyah Alleyne 19; L Kirby 2/32. TKR won by one run.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Barbados Ninja Throwdown 2022 (BNT) is back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The action takes place on Saturday, September 3, from 2 pm at Featherbed Lane, St John.

The response to this year’s event has been overwhelming, not only from local competitors but internationally as well – attracting competitors from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Russia, Austria, Romania, China, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam; Australia; Israel and Egypt to name a few.

This is fantastic news for brand Barbados, as many competitors will have an opportunity to experience the food, fun and attractions the island has to offer and BNT 2022 will be featured by media outlets across the globe. Major international attention will be paid to the Barbados Ninja Throwdown as it is the sole qualifying course for the National Ninja League in the Caribbean.

Organisers of the internationally- acclaimed event, mother and son duo, Monique Hinds and Delano Hinds say they are exceptionally pleased with how BNT has grown, averaging over 4,000 spectators in 2020 and are excited for Saturday’s showdown with a high calibre of competitors from as young as 6 to the over 40 Masters’ category. They promise that competition on Saturday will be a high energy and fun atmosphere as “we showcase Barbados to the world.”

Celebrating its fifth year, Barbados Ninja Throwdown will have an exciting kids’ zone and food and drinks on sale – fun for the entire family.

Tickets for Barbados Ninja Throwdown 2022 are available at the door and via ticketlinkz.com.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The culmination of Crop Over Festival was merely three weeks ago, but the National Cultural Foundation is already on the drawing board for 2023.

Amidst the buzz about this year’s Grand Kadooment route, the NCF will be leaving the decision up to the public.

During a press conference today the NCF’s West Terrace, St Michael headquarters, Minister with the responsibility for Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, revealed that they will be reaching out to participants in the festival for their input.

“All Barbadians have a stake in terms of whether or not we have a successful Crop Over, and in that context immediately after this press conference, we will be releasing a survey to the public that will ask the public to input on the new route for Crop Over 2023,” Dr Munro-Knight declared while adding there will be a stakeholder survey as well.

Masqueraders, vendors and Barbadians who actively participate in the three-month festival will have a say, over the next three weeks.

The Minister added that the NCF was already in discussions with bandleaders for their opinions and recommendations for 2023.

“We want to be sure that for 2023 we have a festival that is as inclusive in terms of its design as we can make it. We are cognizant that we have worked with all of the stakeholders – the band leaders that we would have walked with in 2022 – we would continue to talk to them in 2023, but at the same time, we are cognisant that we have a multiplicity of stakeholders in the entirety of the Crop Over Festival. We want to have a process in which people can input, reflect on and make suggestions,” she noted.

Dr Munro-Knight stated that NCF should have the results of the survey by November.

“We are hoping that by November, the beginning of November, we will be able to come back to the people after we have had Cabinet’s approval to say this is what Crop Over 2023 will look like,” she indicated.

NCF chief executive officer, Carol Roberts-Reifer reported that this year’s festival was successful despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The events were “well attended” and “heavily endorsed”.

Many cried foul at the late announcement of the festival in May and several promoters shared concerns about the poor sponsorship, however, Roberts-Reifer stated that the private sector pulled through despite the turbulent economy.

“The sponsorship exceeded out expectations in this environment. COVID-19 is a health crisis but it is also an economic crisis….

“Within the context of global economic restrictions, we are very pleased with the level of sponsorship we have been able to procure,” said Roberts-Reifer.

Her comments were supported by Oneka Small, curator of the Central Bank Crop Over Visual Arts Exhibition, who described the patronage at the three-part showcase held at the Queen’s Park Gallery as “phenomenal”.

“One of the highlights of this show for me having worked in the cultural industries for a long time is the number of people who passed through Queen’s Park over the last couple of months.

For each of the shows so far, we have been averaging about 600 visitors…by the end of [the exhibit on] Saturday we are going to have at least 1, 800 people come to view visual arts in Barbados. And to me, that is fantastic, amazing, overwhelming.

“There was a strong feeling of inclusion of visual arts within the festival. We were part of events, we were there for other events…we really feel included. A lot of times the visual arts feel like they are on the outside but definitely for Crop Over 2022, there was a great feeling of inclusion,” Small added.

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