Barbados’ senior men’s national football team lost their Concacaf Nations League encounter versus Cuba last Sunday but won the hearts of locals in Santiago, the second-largest city in the country.
The Tridents displayed several acts of kindness and generosity over the weekend to less fortunate citizens of Cuba.
And despite their adversity, they met the Barbados team with love and happiness, while portraying friendliness and warm hospitality.
Midfielders Jomo Harris, Omani Leacock and Devonte Richards along with goal keeper Kishmar Primus, led the charge distributing precious commodities like water, snacks and items of clothing.
Due to Cuba’s location, the country is always threatened by drought, tropical cyclones and earthquakes which impact food and nutrition security. A large number of its population lives in high buildings with multi-family water reservoirs in poor condition.
There was also an increase in morbidity from acute diarrhoeal diseases and those transmitted by vectors due to environmental problems as well as poor sanitation and improper disposal of solid and liquid waste.
Following Barbados’ 3-0 defeat to Cuba, Leacock was the first player seen handing out bottles of drinking water to children and as the team bus departed many Cubans gathered around to pose for photos and meet the Barbadian players.
Regardless of the score line, the Bajans also felt a sense of national pride as they got support during the 90-minute contest from a tiny section of the Estadio Antonio Macea where Barbadian student doctors were seated. (AGB)
Some of the Barbadians living in Cuba supported the Tridents during the match. (Picture by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce)