The UWI Games Are On! Competition heats up across the five campuses

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Tuesday, May 26, 2026— The UWI Games are reignited and better than ever. Themed Reunited, Reignited, Ready, the 2026 Games were declared open by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles on Friday, May 22 with the unveiling of the Challenge Trophy. The Opening Ceremony kicked off eight days of sporting action with a high-energy parade of campus teams, cultural performances and the official torch relay.

The Opening Ceremony launched the Games in a spectacular fashion, setting an electrifying tone for the days ahead. The evening came alive with a high-energy parade of campus teams, as athletes and officials proudly processed into the venue. Each contingent showcased its unique identity through vibrant colours, chanting and dancing to dancehall and soca music, and spirited support. Host Campus, St. Augustine complemented the friendly rivalry with an engaging cultural showcase, celebrating the rhythms, creativity, and shared heritage of the Caribbean region, led by its Department of Creative and Festival Arts. The excitement reached a defining moment with the ceremonial lighting of the UWI Games torch, marking the official start of the Games and igniting an unforgettable celebration of sport and community.

Delivering the feature address, World Championship gold medallist, Olympic finalist and UWI alumnus Jehue Gordon reflected on his own journey as a student-athlete and the role of the Games in shaping well-rounded individuals. He emphasised that sport is a powerful partner to education, instilling discipline, resilience and leadership in young people.

He shared with students moments when his parallel pursuit of academics and international sporting excellence collided. “I know what it feels like to leave class mentally exhausted and still have to show up for training…to chase greatness while trying to survive university life. But what University gave to me was bigger than a degree, it gave me an environment that helped shape my character, relationships, discipline and perspective. Most importantly it gave me a community that believed in me even before the world knew my name.”

Vice-Chancellor Beckles defined the Games as an intergenerational, student-led institution and their return, as evidence of The UWI’s resilience, passion and commitment to sport and student life.  Honouring the legacy of Caribbean civilisation that has always expressed itself through ‘brilliance’ in scholarship and sport, he expressed, “We are privileged that these games are taking place in the context of the 10^th anniversary of the Faculty of Sport. Students, you no longer have to choose between being an athlete and an academic.”

In addition to marking its historic return after years of pause, the 2026 Games also welcomed, for the first time, participation from the Five Islands Campus, alongside the largest-ever athlete contingent from the Global Campus.

Welcoming the over 600 participants to the 32^nd edition of the Games and to the host Campus, Professor Derek Chadee, Acting Campus Principal, UWI St. Augustine and Chair of the UWI Games 2026 Local and Regional Organising Committees emphasised, “This year we are not just resuming the games, we are renewing them.” He celebrated the unifying power of sport; the dedication and creativity of the planning committees and acknowledged the discipline and resilience of past and present student-athletes, coaches, staff and regional sporting greats who have kept the legacy of Caribbean sporting excellence alive.

Dr. Roy McCree, Dean of the Faculty of Sport, The UWI; Mr Ronson Hackshaw, Assistant Director, Physical Education and Sport Division, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs; and Mr Vedanand Hargobin, St. Augustine Campus Guild President also addressed the opening ceremony. On behalf of all the Guild Presidents and the wider student body, Mr Hargobin expressed pride to see this level of student sporting activity return to university life.  He noted, “The memories created here will not only be about medals and scores. They will be about friendships, pride, laughter, rivalry and the feeling of being part of one Caribbean university.”

With the games underway, student-athletes are actively competing across ten sporting disciplines: Cricket, Football, Basketball, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Hockey, Volleyball, Track and Field and Netball.

Aligned with the goal of developing well-rounded and socially responsible graduates, athletes are also given the opportunity to engage in meaningful social outreach initiatives. The main initiative is a sports clinic in support of a Children’s Home on Tuesday 26^th May, offering children not only basic skills training, but also mentorship, positive engagement and the opportunity to connect with student-athletes in a meaningful way.

The 2026 UWI Games are being broadcast via www.uwitv.global and all UWItv official platforms.  In-person attendance is also free and open to students, staff, alumni and the public. Interested persons can register to attend and keep track of official schedules and results at www.sta.uwi.edu/uwigames.