Inclusion in Sports Being Promoted in Barbados: Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley

The country's minister of sports says members of the disabled community should be able to access all facilities across the island.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Wednesday May 4, 2011 - Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley is nudging authorities to "move a bit faster" to ensure disabled persons have easier access to private and public sector facilities all across the island.

"This is not an issue that is only being addressed from the perspective of the Paralympic Association. It is a national issue and I have pledged to make sure that, in relation to sporting access, the National Sports Council will ensure that access, particularly when it comes to convening meetings and the holding of activities, is dealt with," he said at yesterday's launch of Goalball, a Paralympic sport played by blind and visually impaired athletes.

"The whole question of discrimination is also one of the key issues in Barbados and we have got to attack it from all fronts."

Minister Lashley disclosed that he had already held discussions with the National Sports Council on the matter.

He said he was keen on doing everything in his power to ensure issues of access were sorted out.

Meantime, the Sports Minister has thanked the British High Commission for supporting the Goalball initiative and appealed to the private sector to come on board and assist the Paralympic Association with its valuable work. 

Lashley promised his Ministry's continued support and said he hoped a Goalball team would be sent to the Paralympics which will run from August 29 - September 9, 2012 and is expected to attract 4,200 competitors in 20 sports.