ADRENALINE is already running high between friendly student rivals for the fourth renewal of the UWI/UTech Sports Championships set for next week Saturday on the grounds of UTech’s Papine campus.

During the press launch of the event held yesterday at UTech, student athletes from both the University of the Technology, Jamaica — the UTech Knights, and the University of the West Indies, Mona — the Pelicans, registered their respective intention to take home the Championships trophy. UWI have won the trophy in the last three Championships.

Continuing in the spirit of friendly rivalry, acting director of sport, UTech, Laurence Garriques, told guests at the launch that the event is designed to create an avenue through which the rivalry between the two leading universities can foster the development of school spirit and camaraderie.

7 Sports, 1 Day

In outlining the details of the Championships, Garriques said that the match-up between the UTech Knights and the Mona Pelicans will be a “high energy, exciting event” with the student athletes competing for the Championships Trophy in seven sporting disciplines — T/20 cricket, netball, rugby, women’s volleyball, women’s football, men’s football and men’s basketball.

The Championships kicks off at 9:30 am with T/20 cricket and ends at 4:30 pm with men’s football. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 9:00 am on the UTech front field. The public is invited and admission is free.

Western campuses for football extravaganza

Garriques explained that all matches will be run as shortened versions of the game to ensure that they are fast-paced and intense. For the first time, this year’s Championships will also include an exhibition match between student athletes at the UTech western campus and UWI’s western campus. This is scheduled for 1:30 pm at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at UTech.

UTech’s registrar, Dr Elaine Wallace, in her remarks at the press launch, said she welcomed the renewal of the competition as “an important event on the calendar of intercollegiate sports in Jamaica” and reiterated UTech’s vested interest in the continuity of the Championships as part of the university’s commitment as the “Home of World-Class Athletes”.

The registrar noted further that the Championships is an important partnership between the two universities, as well as between the surrounding communities, and it provides a platform for the development of the student athletes into elite athletes who have the potential to represent Jamaica on the world stage.

Rose Cameron, director of student services and development, UWI, Mona, affirmed the UWI’s continued support of the UWI/UTech partnership as a medium for promoting intercollegiate sports. She noted that there was tremendous potential for growth as the Championships develops and expressed hope that it will be extended to include other tertiary institutions in Jamaica and the region.

Student representatives Terron Dewar, guild president, UWI; and Greaville Smith, president, UTech Students’ Union, noted their determination to dominate the Championships, adding that both institutions are ready for an intense day of exciting competition and further strengthening of the spirit of good sportsmanship and camaraderie between both institutions.

Patria-Kaye Aarons, communications and sponsorship manager, GraceKennedy Money Services, and title sponsor, said that her company is excited to be associated with the Championships and announced that the company would also provide scholarships as part of the sponsorship arrangement.

Other sponsors are KLAS/ESPN Radio, Wray and Nephew, Jamaica Beverages, Zip 103FM, Yard Beat, Soccer Express, Wynlee Sports Wear, Laribo Marketing, Soft Sheen and Carson, Jamaica National Building Society, Knutsford Court and Hi-Lyte.