Sporty Events
BANKS MASTERS FOOTBALL
Banks International Masters Festival Photos by Michael Cadogan
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ike most Caribbean islands Barbados has a passion for football, nurtured by its strong ex-pat community, its popularity at grassroots level and inspired by the exploits of the Reggae Boyz from Jamaica and the Soca Warriors from Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup. Sadly, the Bajan Tridents have a lot of ground to make up to get on par with the great exploits of their neighbours, but other football initiatives continue to prosper and hopefully bigger and better things lie ahead. That remains the strategy of government as tourism chiefs have established a strong link with Chelsea Football Club and the Annual Legends Tournament held late in the year attracts a bevy of outstanding former international soccer stars. The Chelsea connection has also helped drive media spotlight at prestigious tourism events like World Travel Market in London, and created the catalyst for coaching clinics on the island. There is also talk of pre-season training on the island prior to the busy English football season and this could be a massive boost for Barbados’s modest football image. But one event that needs no introduction to readers of Sporting Barbados down the years is the Annual Bank’s International Masters Football Festival. Traditionally held over Whitsun weekend the festival attracts visitors from both the Caribbean region and from America and Europe, and is a “Must Do” for veteran football clubs looking to combine a holiday with a little bit of footie in a tropical paradise. Masters football is growing all over the world as highly-trained athletes prolong their careers, or in the case of many participants, join a club to keep fit and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow football enthusiasts. Barbados was quick to embrace the concept when its popularity grew a few years back, and the International Festival is built on a thriving local Masters League. But everything stops for the festival and visitors can be assured it is a tournament second to none in both atmosphere and organization. The litmus test of any festival is longevity and having been established since 1996 the tournament passes with flying colours. Another endorsement comes from repeat visitors and several clubs like 123