Caribbean Linkages

Sporting Links
Caribbean people are fun loving people. Perhaps that is why so many sporting activities take place within the region.
Cricket
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the region. It creates a bond among Caribbean people especially since members of the West Indies Cricket team are selected from different countries within the region.
The West Indies Cricket team has played against many other teams from different countries such as India, Pakistan, Austalia, England and New Zealand. Some of the players have done very well over the years. Some outstanding cricketers of the region include Sir Frank Worrel, Sir Garfield Sobers, Vivian Richards, Micheal Holding, Jeffrey Dujon and Brian Lara.
Football
Football is another popular game played in the Caribbean. The aim of the teams is to qualify for the World Cup. In 1998 the Jamaican team, known as the Reggae Boyz, Qualified for the World Cup. This was a moment of celebration for all the people in the region. Trinidad and Tobago’s “Soca Warriors” represented the Caribbean at the World Cup in June 2006.
Educational Links
There are several educational institutions that server the region. The University of the West Indies is one of them. Students from all over the Caribbean attend this institution. The University of the West Indies which was started in 1948 has three campuses in three different countries. There is the Mona campus in Jamaica, the Cave Hill campus in Barbados and the St. Augustine campus in Trinidad. The three campuses are funded by various governments in the region.
In Jamaica, there is also the Northern Caribbean University which is owned and operated by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It can be found in Mandeville in the parish of Manchester. In Kingston, there are several other learning institutions which benefit the entire region. There is the University of Technology, (UTECH); the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts, several teachers’ colleges and nursing schools. In 2006, a new university was opened in Trinidad and Tobago. It is called the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)
You may have heard about CXC before. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) was set up in 1978. This body organises a common set of examinations for all students in the region. It offers over thirty-three subjects to Caribbean students. The papers are set and marked by educators in the Caribbean. CXC examinations were set up to replace the General Certificate in Education (GCE) Examinations. The CXC body has also set a series of examinations called Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) for students at the sixth form level. These examinations replaced the Cambridge GCE A’ Level examinations.
Caribbean Diplomatic Ties
Diplomatic links are maintained among Caribbean countries. A diplomat is an official representing a country abroad. The chief diplomat is called a High Commisioner. Countries of the commonwealth maintain diplomatic ties with each other. In Jamaica, for example, there is the British High Commissioner. Do you remember the countries which make up the Commonwealth? Countries that do not belong to the Commonwealth have Embassies in other countries, hence we have the American Embassy in Jamaica, In this case, the chief diplomat is called an ambassador. An ambassador does not generally work alone. A staff usually helps him/her.
Role of the Ambassador
Let us look at the role of the ambassador.

1. To protect the interest of his/her people who are either living in or visiting the country to which he/she is assigned.
2. To grant visas to persons in the country to which he/she is assigned to visit his/her home country.
3. To represent the interests of his/her government in the host country.