A solemn yet deeply moving atmosphere descended upon Fontabelle as Prime Minister Mia Mottley, members of her Cabinet, and a contingent of armed and unarmed military personnel joined a grand procession trailing behind the gun carriage bearing the body of the late Sir Garfield Sobers to cricket’s Caribbean Mecca, Kensington Oval.
The procession radiated quiet pride and immense gratitude for a true giant from the Bayland who elevated Bajan excellence onto the global stage. Cabinet members arrived early to take their positions, shortly followed by Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, dressed in black. Prime Minister Mottley later arrived in MP 2 dressed in white, walking at pace with the state procession and pausing briefly at Cricket Legends of Barbados to include members of the Sobers family.
Universally celebrated as arguably the world’s greatest all-rounder in the history of cricket, Sir Garry drew pockets of awestruck mourners along the route as the gun carriage made its way toward the Oval. Barbadians from all walks of life gathered to pay their final respects to a man who became a defining symbol of national pride.
The family of the late Sir Garfield Sobers (RR)
Citizens who witnessed history expressed deep reverence for the national hero, sharing memories of his character and impact. Raul recalled personal encounters with the legend and the pride felt across the island.
“Sir Garry was an icon, you know, world-famous cricketer, respected by everybody all over the world,” Raul reflected. “So it’s a great thing that Barbados has done for Sir Garry. He’s a national hero. We respect him.”
Raul noted that he knew Sir Garry personally from his visits to Champers Restaurant for dinner, adding that the community deeply appreciated the government’s tribute.
Sean Gittens said the state funeral was fit for Sir Garry: “I would say I feel 1 000 per cent happy. It’s about time that, you know, Sir Garry deserve it. You deserve it for putting Barbados on the scale, you know, more than once. So today I would say it was well, well done.”
The emotional resonance of the day extended far beyond the cricketing world, touching citizens of all backgrounds.
Ralbert Ashton, president of the Blind Association, reflected on the loss of a grassroots icon whose rise to global greatness served as a powerful source of national inspiration.
“Sometimes it comes to more than just his outstanding endeavours, you know, being that a person, a brother of the soil, and you’ve seen him from where he come from, the grassroots and stuff like that, you know, you really can connect with those type of people growing up like that and knowing that coming from that way and where he had elevated to. You know, that in itself is motivation that a person can look up to.”
Retired security officer Roderick Brewster praised the flawless organisation and respectful atmosphere of the State send-off. Having known Sir Garry since childhood in Bayland, Brewster expressed delight in knowing the legendary cricketer received a fitting farewell.
“Everything was perfect to me. Can’t complain, right? You call, we respected. No noise, road was clear. Everything was nice.”
He added; “To see him go before his birthday, you know — I want to get to 102 years, you know, but God knows that. And to me, he would do his work in heaven. He’s going to heaven. And, you know, you look at us and smiling, right? So, you know, we shed tears, but he’s a good place in heaven.”
