Sports personalities carry great power and influence over the millions of fans who follow and admire them and their skills. They are powerful influencers.Many Barbadians will recall how it became fashionable to wear shirts with the collar up, a trend made popular by the world’s greatest all-round cricketer and National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers.Michael Jordan, for example, remains one of the most admired basketball idols, and though he retired from the game more than two decades ago, his Air Jordan branded shoes remain a global trendsetter.Sportspersons have also been successful in carrying over their star power from various arenas to political platforms and political office.In cricket for example, Pakistani legend Imran Khan who led his country to World Cup success in 1992, became that country’s president in 2018.Then there was Sri Lankan Arjuna Ranatunga, who became a Minister in the country’s government. Much closer to home, is Barbadian fast bowling icon Sir Wesley Hall, who became a popular Minister of Tourism in a Democratic Labour Party administration.