Wrestling club objects to ban

Payne’s Wrestling Club has raised objections to a one-year suspension imposed by the Barbados Wrestling Association (BWA), saying the decision was taken without due process and without an opportunity for the club or its coaches to respond.

The club said it has retained Michael Lashley KC and Associates, who have written to the BWA and the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) seeking a resolution to the issue.

“We are ready to have the matter settled amicably, but if not, then we are going to head to court,” the King’s Counsel told NATION SPORTS.

Suspended

Club officials stated that they received a letter dated December 7, 2025, advising that it had been suspended from all BWA activities with immediate effect. The sanction also applies to the club’s head coach and assistant coach, Yaima Payne and Kwami Inniss, respectively, and is linked to an alleged incident on October 18 at Hayman’s Market.

In a statement, Payne’s Wrestling Club said no independent investigation was carried out and that neither the club nor the affected coaches were consulted before the suspension was issued.

In its own statement issued on December 7, the Barbados Wrestling Association said the October 18 event formed part of a multi-combat showcase and CAC National Wrestling Trials co-hosted with Hayman’s Market and attended by several clubs and guests.

The association said it was deeply concerned about what it described as unacceptable conduct by some members, coaches, athletes and parents from Payne’s Wrestling Club, alleging abusive behaviour toward event officials, disrespectful remarks directed at the association and its president, and derogatory comments made to an international official.

The BWA said the conduct violated the standards of the association and its governing bodies, brought the sport into disrepute, and fell short of principles of sportsmanship and professionalism. It said the executive committee reviewed reports from the event and decided to suspend Payne’s Wrestling Club from all BWA activities for one year with immediate effect.

The statement added that during the suspension period, members are encouraged to focus on deportment, anger management, etiquette and respect.

Payne’s Wrestling Club are also questioning the timing of the decision, noting that it prevented their members from participating in the association’s annual general meeting and elections scheduled for December 21.

The club noted that several of its athletes recently secured places for the CAC Games, which it said reflected their discipline and commitment to representing Barbados.

‘No meeting’

The statement from the club noted that since July 2024, it has repeatedly contacted sporting authorities seeking support and intervention on matters affecting its athletes and coaching staff, but has received little to no follow-up.

It said that during this period, the coach and assistant coach were suspended over an alleged two-yearold visa-related complaint involving a report made to an embassy by [BWA president Rollins] Alleyne. The club claims the Fraud Department later reviewed and cleared the matter in writing, but that no meeting or hearing was ever held, even after the coach was told one would be scheduled.

The club further alleged that Alleyne was able to pursue legal action, suspend its coaching staff, and proceed with CAC trials despite concerns the club had formally submitted. Three Payne’s Wrestling Club members qualified while representing Barbados at CAC trials in Panama, but the club said the athletes later learned informally that their performance was being treated as a general placement rather than recognition of their individual qualification, leaving them uncertain about their status.

It also accused Alleyne of publicly criticising club members and coaches on social media and during coaching courses, and said appeals to the BWA, BOA and NSC were dismissed because the organisation is just a club.

According to the club’s statement, the subsequent suspension, communicated shortly after the athletes returned from the Panama trials, has raised concerns about transparency and timing.

It said the decision has left athletes distressed and confused and argued that repeated attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue have gone unanswered. The club maintained that it is not seeking special treatment, but is calling for fairness, accountability and due process in all disciplinary matters.

The BWA had not issued any additional public response at the time of publication, and Alleyne said he would not offer a comment at this time. (JC)

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