October 2016


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As darkness graced the Jamaican skies, the Intercampus Staff Games contingent journeyed from the breathtaking Turtle River Falls and Gardens in Ocho Rios, back to the UWI Mona campus where the teams were lodged. The silent atmosphere on the return trip was markedly void of the lively singing of soca, gospel, reggae and even Sesame Street songs accompanied by scintillating drumming, which had filled to air on the way to the Falls.

Then, old and young passengers shared laughter, smiles or song suggestions. Dance expressions ranged from the tapping of feet to the nodding of heads and even the approximation of a conga line down the aisle of the bus. At this time however, most slept to a silence only challenged by the rain, pitter-pattering on the roof of the bus. Following the end of a hectic sporting schedule, impassioned performances and culturally themed celebratory nights, the entire contingent was gifted a full day to unwind and enjoy the unique Jamaican aesthetic.

August 2016 marked the 16th staging of the biannual UWI Intercampus Staff Games in which staff members compete in eight sporting disciplines. For only the second time thus far, the three landed campuses was joined by the Open Campus, which not only showed up but indeed stamped its name on the Games via increased representation and improved performances, even placing third overall, pushing Cave Hill into fourth place.

The St. Augustine contingent claimed the second spot, losing to the overall champions, Mona. St. Augustine’s achievement was boosted by a near victorious performance in football along with winning performances in cricket, volleyball and lawn tennis. Athletes in track, table tennis, basketball and netball all expended significant effort toward the final points tally. In the final analysis the team widelycelebrated as the ‘life of the Intercampus village’ once again proved that this reputation could not be disassociated fromcommitment and success.

As the female bus driver cautiously navigated through the wet streets of Liguanea, anxiety arose as the run off time for two major athletics finals swiftly approached. Upon arrival at the Rex Nettleford Hall, persons hastily occupied a position in front of the lone television, situated in the common area to view the much anticipated 100m finals. In an Olympic year where the Caribbean continued a tradition of dominance in track and field, led by the indomitable, confounding talent that is Usain Bolt, it was unsurprising that the Games, held in Jamaica would be quite exciting. As Usain obliterated a field of athletes representative of much larger, economically powerful countries, the texture of jubilation and regional unity ran high. Indeed this was the typical mode of celebration for all Caribbean athletes expressed throughout the games; Caribbean and national identity regularly intertwining.

At the official opening of the games, University Registrar, C. William Iton emphasised that the games tied neatly into the University’s vision of ‘One University’, a strategic initiative dedicated toward achieving a more streamlined, integrated approach across campuses. Indeed the institution of UWI, quite apart from learning is also a vehicle for integration. In a remarkable way the Games allow for the engagement in cultural exchange and diplomacy among staff. By all reviews they were enjoyable and successfully staged, even amidst economic challenges as experienced by all campuses and their host countries – thus a testament to the spirit and resilience of the region at large. Dr Alicia Martin is a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences.