Barbados’ former FA president remembered for contribution to football

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw led tributes that have started to flow for former President of the Barbados Football Association, George Las Caris.

The affable Las Caris died one month short of his 71st birthday on Saturday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the Barbados capital of Bridgetown after battling cancer.

Standing at six feet four inches tall, Las Caris was good enough to make the national team as a goalkeeper at 18 years old, and he was also a towering presence on the basketball court.

Bradshaw said she was "deeply touched" by the death of Las Caris, a teacher by profession because she had been one of his students.

"George was a teacher by profession, and this, combined with his love of football, meant that for almost half a century he touched the lives of Barbadian youths in a most intimate way," she said in an official statement.

"My interaction with him began when he was a teacher at my alma mater, Christ Church Foundation School, and then later at the Barbados Community College. Sir was, for those students who benefited from his tutoring and mentoring, both firm and fair."

Bradshaw added that Las Caris was an inspiration for many in the community of The Pine, which is in the heart of her St Michael South-East constituency.

"Many of the coaches and young men admired his professionalism, commitment, and dedication to the sport and developed a sense of discipline, primarily from their association with sports generally, but football in particular," she said.

Las Caris had four terms in the post of BFA president after being first elected in 1987 - but his real passion was the Barbados Cup international junior football tournament he founded more than 30 years ago, and Bradshaw hailed him for his work in these two areas.

"He set out on a mission to modernise the sport in Barbados and to exploit its commercial value for the benefit of people across the country," she said.

"He placed great emphasis on sponsorship of teams and players, helping more business owners to see the connection between investing in our youth and building a wholesome society."

Incumbent BFA and Caribbean Football Union President Randy Harris said Las Caris will be remembered as "one of the most progressive administrators" of the sport on the island.

"Under his leadership, he oversaw the transformation of local football, increasing participation, seeking and obtaining significant sponsorship, and introducing new and exciting competitions on the association's annual calendar," Harris said.

Las Caris is survived by his wife, Margo, and two sons, Chae and Luke.