Barbados to Hold State Funeral for Sir Garry Sobers

Barbados will provide a last standing ovation to the late Sir Garry Sobers in a full state funeral next Wednesday, July 29th.

The funeral will comprise two sections – a full public thanksgiving service at Kensington Oval, and a private funeral later at the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens in Christ Church.

The Thanksgiving service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Oval.

Details of the service were released during a press conference today by chairperson of the funeral’s core planning committee Senior Minister, Senator Lisa Cummins, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health, NIS Building at Culloden Road, St Michael.

In addition to the services, Sir Garry’s body will lay in state on two days, first on July 27 at Parliament, then on July 28 at the Hospitality Suite of Kensington Oval.

Condolence books will be made available at Parliament Buildings, Kensington Oval, Government Headquarters, Cricket Legends of Barbados, Bay Primary School, Weymouth Sports Club, the General Post Office, Holetown Post Office, St Andrew Post Office and the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex in Gall Hill, St John.

There will also be electronic condolence books for those who are unable to get to a physical location or reside outside of Barbados, said Cabinet Secretary Selma Green.

The funeral service will be livestreamed.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Carol Roberts, a member of the core planning committee for the funeral, said they were working closely with the cricket fraternity and the summer camps for those groups to be present at Kensington Oval

Along with those activities, the planning committee is in the process of organising several commemorative events to bring to Barbadians the legacy of Sir Garry’s career in local and international cricket. (BA)