Havana, December 31, (RHC), – Barbados and Cuba are seeking to deepen their collaboration in sports and culture, Barbadian media highlighted on Tuesday.

The proposed approach was discussed during a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Stephen Lashley, by Cuban Ambassador, Francisco Fernández Peña, at the Ministry of Culture’s Haggatt Hall, St. Michael office, Monday.

The Sports Minister noted that the National Sports Council was interested in extending its existing contract with CUBADEPORTES but would be seeking to widen cooperation to ensure greater reciprocity. Under the current bilateral agreement, there are seven Cuban nationals contracted to provide coaching in a number of disciplines.

Lashley said he wanted more Barbadian coaches to share their knowledge in Cuba.

“We would like to see Barbadian coaches teaching the indigenous sport of road tennis in Cuba. We are interested in expanding road tennis across the region,” he said, also calling for scholarships and exchanges in sports.

The Minister, who is also responsible for Culture, further indicated that Barbados wanted to collaborate in the areas of heritage conservation, restoration techniques, as well as cultural and technical exchanges.

Ambassador Fernández Peña agreed that the islands should enrich their relationship, and extended an invitation to Barbados to showcase its cultural heritage at an upcoming festival.

Lashley concluded: “We would like to develop a stronger and holistic relationship that could take both countries to the next level.”

Barbados and the Republic of Cuba established diplomatic relations in December 1972.