In the vibrant world of sports, Cats International Sports stands out as a beacon of innovation and commitment, particularly through its dedicated sports tourism portfolio. With a vision that transcends mere competition, the company is reshaping how the Caribbean engages with the global sports community.
CEO and President, Justin Catlin, while speaking to News on the Go Now at the Top Cat’s Sports Bar in breezy Shop Hill, St Thomas shared his mission to transform sports in Barbados.
“We are heavily interested, invested and committed to the promotion and education of sports tourism in the Caribbean. We bring teams from overseas to Barbados or the Caribbean, and we also take teams from the Caribbean overseas as well to expose talent, create new avenues and initiatives.”
From facilitating international teams visiting the Caribbean to sending local talent abroad, Cats International Sports is not only promoting sports tourism but also forging new pathways for talent development and cross-cultural collaboration.
“We are heavily interested, invested and committed to the promotion and education of sports tourism in the Caribbean. We bring teams from overseas to Barbados or the Caribbean, and we also take teams from the Caribbean overseas as well to expose talent, create new avenues and initiatives, coordinate teams and the way that certain brands collaborate and stakeholders.”
The owner of the Top Cat’s Sports bar has other ventures under the Cats International Sports brand which include the shipping and sourcing of sports goods and sports development.
Cats International Sports is on a mission to elevate the Caribbean’s presence on the global sports stage. Central to this mission is its sports tourism portfolio, which orchestrates a dynamic exchange between Caribbean teams and international sports venues. The company’s approach is twofold: bringing overseas teams to the Caribbean and taking local teams to international competitions.
But where did it all start for Catlin? He shares that he’s always loved sports.
“ I’ve always been active in sports, starting from playing cricket in earlier days, I also then moved into football at the Lester Vaughan School, which then led me to playing field hockey. I really love it. I didn’t want to play field hockey, but then I ended up playing because of the coach pushing me to play. And then whilst I was able to discover I had natural talent, I was all set for it, playing field hockey for Barbados at an international level and traveling over the world to various tournaments.”
While his family is a sporting one, he is the only one who plays hockey. Meanwhile, his brother Kishmar Catlin who is a former Barbados player played for CCC, Combined Campuses and Colleges.
“Watching him being competitive as well from a young age in cricket and so on, also compelled me, to some degree, to continue to study sports,” he said fondly.
The entire family supports his sporting endeavors and the Top Cats Sports Bar thrives on being a family-created and operated space, supported by family members and teammates from various sports.
In 2017 he also worked with the Barbados Olympic Association to provide shipping equipment for national athletes, a business partnership that he is very proud of.
He is also proud of sponsoring major tournaments like the Barbados International Hockey Festival and the UB Scrim Fest.
Above all else, while he’s proud of business collaborations with the Barbados Hockey Federation and being able to sponsor major tournaments he is happy that he can give back.
“I love making a difference. I think for me, it is all about service. It’s all about making a difference and being a difference in any Caribbean environment and environment where we have a lot of deficiencies in terms of how we see sport, how we do sport, how we recognize the business of sport.I would like to be a proponent for an increased level of professionalism, and also a gateway for the sports business world to be taken seriously.”
One of the standout features of Cats International Sports’ approach is its emphasis on creating opportunities and fostering collaboration among brands and stakeholders. The company serves as a bridge, coordinating efforts between various entities to ensure seamless interactions and mutually beneficial partnerships.
The former footballer shares the vision of Cats International Sports:
“I want to become the key catalyst for Caribbean sports tourism, and turn that into a globally competitive industry, or a global competitive industry. Reason being to be the key catalyst, meaning that national sports wants to position itself to be the number one sports tourism company, where teams and international brands can call us, can negotiate with us, can partner with us, and we can continue to service them and service our athletes.”
As Cats International Sports continues to innovate and expand its sports tourism initiatives, the future looks bright for the Caribbean sports scene. The company is exploring new avenues for collaboration, investing in advanced sports facilities, and seeking to host more international events.
By championing sports tourism, Cats International Sports is not only elevating the Caribbean’s sports profile but also contributing to the broader goals of talent development, cultural exchange, and regional economic growth. The company’s efforts are setting a new standard for how sports tourism can drive positive change and create lasting impacts on communities.
