The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus made a strong statement in its historic debut at the 2026 UWI Games on Friday, producing an impressive basketball victory despite suffering defeat in cricket during the opening day of competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

Representing Antigua and Barbuda on the regional multi-campus stage for the first time, the Five Islands Frigates experienced a mixture of celebration and disappointment as athletes competed against fellow UWI campuses.

The campus opened its campaign in male cricket against the Mona Campus, posting a respectable 143 for 3 from 20 overs after batting first. Asher Cornelius led the innings with a brilliant 81 runs, anchoring the Frigates’ batting effort and helping set a competitive target.

Top scorer of the match from The UWI FIC, Asher Cornelius

But Mona proved too powerful in response, chasing down the total with ease to finish on 144 for 2 in just 12.3 overs and secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

Five Islands quickly bounced back later in the day with a dominant performance in male basketball, overwhelming The UWI Global Campus 67-34 in a one-sided contest. The convincing win marked the Frigates’ first victory at the Games and highlighted the team’s potential despite the campus being newcomers to the tournament.

The Five Islands delegation is expected to continue competition on Saturday across several disciplines, including lawn tennis, table tennis, male football and male volleyball.

The 2026 UWI Games represent a landmark moment for the Five Islands Campus, which is based in Antigua and Barbuda and is participating in the regional sporting event for the first time since the institution’s establishment.

The Games bring together students from campuses across the UWI system in a celebration of sport, school pride and Caribbean unity.