Mona retains UWI Games title as regional competition makes successful return

The 2026 edition of the UWI Games concluded on May 29 after eight days of competition, marking a successful return of the regional sporting event under the theme “Reunited, Reignited, Ready.”

Athletes from campuses across The University of the West Indies competed in 10 sporting disciplines, with fierce rivalries on the field giving way to celebration and camaraderie during the closing ceremony held at the Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) on the St. Augustine Campus.

A press release from The UWI said the final evening featured highlights from the tournament, an athletes’ celebration walk, and a prize-giving ceremony where competitors, coaches, and teams were recognized for their achievements. The atmosphere was further enhanced by music, cultural performances, and festivities that reflected the spirit of regional unity.

The Mona Campus successfully defended its championship title, finishing atop the standings with 136 points. Mona’s athletes captured seven gold medals, five silver medals, and two bronze medals. The campus dominated cricket, table tennis, tennis, and track and field, while also securing gold in women’s football, women’s basketball, and men’s volleyball.

Host campus St. Augustine placed second overall with 114 points, earning four gold, four silver, and five bronze medals. St. Augustine claimed top honours in swimming, men’s basketball, men’s football, and hockey.

The Cave Hill Campus finished third with 108 points after collecting three gold medals, five silver medals, and four bronze medals. Cave Hill’s women excelled by winning gold in netball, hockey, and volleyball.

The Five Islands Campus made its first appearance at the UWI Games and finished fourth with 44 points. Its athletes secured bronze medals in men’s basketball, men’s football, and women’s volleyball.

The Global Campus, fielding its largest-ever UWI Games delegation, finished fifth with 22 points. Among its standout performers was Imani Edwards Taylor, who earned the Most Valuable Player award in table tennis.

Several university and government officials participated in the closing ceremony, including St. Augustine Campus Guild President Vedanand Hargobin; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of the St. Augustine Campus, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of the Mona Campus, Professor Densil Williams, who spoke on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles; and Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Senator the Honourable Emeritus Professor Prakash Persad.

Entertainment throughout the programme included performances by the UWI Games Flag Dancers and Trinidad and Tobago cultural ambassador and award-winning singer-songwriter Neval Chatelal. The medal presentation ceremony was accompanied by a blend of classic soca and contemporary Caribbean music, with performances by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band adding to the celebration.

Addressing the gathering, Professor Antoine highlighted the important life lessons that sport teaches beyond competition.

Recognising the values of “honour, courage, fairness, reliability and discipline,” she encouraged athletes to carry those principles into all aspects of their lives. She urged them to “play sports, not games,” stressing that in sports, “rewards come only from genuine merit, hard work and discipline. Nothing else.”

Professor Antoine also emphasized the role of the Games in strengthening regional bonds. She noted that although participants came from different territories, campuses and cultural backgrounds, “we come from different territories, campuses and cultures, we are part of one extraordinary region.” She called for continued efforts to build relationships across borders and encouraged the University to create opportunities for students to “get to know and value each other.”

Reflecting on the event’s success, she thanked the many individuals and organizations whose contributions helped make the Games possible, including the participating campuses for their financial support and collaboration.

Professor Densil Williams praised the St. Augustine Campus for creating an atmosphere that reflected the region’s shared identity and described the event as showcasing “Caribbean hospitality at its best.”

He observed that “The UWI Games 2026 offered an opportunity for cultural immersion and a platform for the integration of our students spanning a diverse range of territories and experiences.”

According to The UWI, Williams also highlighted the Caribbean Night celebration, which showcased music, food, art and cultural traditions from throughout the region. He further pointed to the outreach initiative involving St. Mary’s Home for Children, noting that it allowed students to “better understand their social responsibility” as part of the University’s commitment to producing well-rounded graduates.

Minister Persad echoed those sentiments, drawing from his experiences as a former school cricketer and martial arts practitioner. He stated that the Games were about “… growth, connection, and the pursuit of excellence. It is about building character, accepting losses as well as victories … It is not only useful to produce graduates who are good academically but graduates who are physically strong, mentally resilient, emotionally balanced and socially aware.”

The minister also reportedly advocated for martial arts to be added to future editions of the UWI Games and encouraged students to participate in sports as part of their personal development.

Looking ahead, attention has already turned to the next edition of the competition. The Cave Hill Campus was officially announced as host of the 2028 UWI Games. During the closing ceremony, Deputy Campus Principal of Cave Hill, Professor Winston Moore, received the ceremonial baton from Professor Derek Chadee, Deputy Principal of the St. Augustine Campus and Chair of the UWI Games 2026 Organising Committee.

The celebrations continued after the official proceedings with an outdoor fete-style reception featuring a live performance by soca artiste Yung Bredda, bringing the curtain down on what organizers described as a distinctly Caribbean and One-UWI celebration.