Barbados says the Afreximbank has done more for development than other institutions. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says it was willing to take risks and go where others are not prepared to go. She lauded Afreximbank for its support over the past few years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Mottley shared before a discussion on the Untold Story of Africa’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, how the solidarity with Afreximbank, along with the African medical supplies platform enabled countries in the Caribbean to have access to much-needed medical supplies. Ms. Mottley wants the solidarity formed with the African medical supplies platform maintained at all costs.

Barbados Royals will finish fourth in the preliminaries of the Republic Bank CPL, after falling to their fourth consecutive defeat last night. Playing at the Brian Lara Academy in Trinidad, the hosts Trinbago Knight Riders were sent into bat, and scored 175 for 7. Captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with 42, which included 4-sixes. Maheesh Theekshana and Naveen-ul-Haq each took 3 for 35. Royals in reply scored 145 for 9 to lose by 30 runs. Alick Athanaze top-scored with 44, while David Miller added 30. Player of the Match Akeal Hosein took 3 for 15, and Chris Jordan 3 for 33. That was the 10th and final preliminary match for the royals, as they ended fourth on 10 points. That means they’ll be playing in the eliminator on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Guyana Amazon Warriors have taken over the lead of the CPL after today’s victory over St. Lucia Kings. Hosts Warriors opted to bat first at Providence and posted a match-winning 207 for 7. Player of the Match Shimron Hetmyer topscored with 58 while Shai Hope got 56. The Kings were never on course to win and fell 35 runs short on 172 for 7. Faf Du Plessis tried his best with 92 not out. Warriors and Kings have 14 points, but the Warriors have the superior net run rate and a game in hand. The final preliminary match is tomorrow, with the Warriors at home to Trinbago Knight Riders. If the Warriors win, then they’ll finish first, the Kings second, TKR third and the Royals fourth. If Knight Riders win, there’ll be a three-way tie for first with 14 points, and positions will come down to net run rate. Play begins at 7 p.m., with live coverage on MCTVV’s Sportsmax channel 310, while CBC TV8 will air it tape-delayed from 7:30 p.m.

In the face of challenges, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill has told the region the tourism sector is critical to helping countries recover and rebuild. He wants players in the industry to ensure the tourism sector is inclusive, saying it must embrace marginalised groups, local artisans, rural communities and small business owners so they too can benefit from its growth. Minister Gooding-Edghill was among the panel for a virtual forum celebrating World Tourism Day 2024 on Friday.