He went up against the ultimate competitor: noted table tennis buff Adam Goldstein. The FCCA chairman and president/COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is known for crushing opponents.

‘It was a pleasure to participate in an event that continues to raise funds for the FCCA Foundation of which St. Kitts is a beneficiary,’ Grant said. ‘Every December, the FCCA Holiday Giveaway Project donates hundreds of toys to our children on island who are less fortunate.’

Goldstein competed against the gold sponsors of the challenge, concluding with the main match against Grant. This is the second time the minister has participated in the event, having beaten an undefeated Goldstein at an FCCA conference in San Juan in 2016. This time, an extremely focused Goldstein evened the score, besting Grant.

The minister thanked the FCCA for their continued support of the Caribbean community. St. Kitts Tourism Authority sponsored the table tennis event at a platinum level.

The FCCA Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Latin America, including disaster relief, funding for institutions like hospitals and orphanages, and annual projects benefiting educational and children’s causes.

Most recently, the foundation provided life-sustaining necessities—including sleeping pods, blankets, cots and multi-thousand-square-foot semi-permanent structures for shelter and schooling—for 10,000 people following hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the annual Holiday Gift Project took presents, festivities and cheer to nearly 9,000 deserving children throughout 43 destinations.

In St. Kitts the holiday gifts are distributed to children in an event hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority with an appearance by Santa Claus.

Another major FCCA Foundation fundraiser during Seatrade Cruise Global was Wednesday night’s 24th annual FCCA Gala, always a highlight of the week, where more than 50 cruise line executives, including presidents and CEOs, mingled and dined with 400 attendees.

Goldstein said he was ‘honored to host a table and listen to ideas and developments while benefiting a good cause.’