The University of the West Indies (UWI) launched its Faculty of Sport yesterday, signalling a move to have a greater impact in the development of sport in all areas in the Caribbean region.

The UWI has four campuses — Mona Campus in Jamaica, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago and the Open Campus. The latter has no defined location, but its services are offered in a number of territories throughout the region.

Dr Akshai Mansingh will head the new faculty after he was selected to do so in June of this year. His appointment takes effect on August 1. Dr Mansingh is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician and is also a graduate of the UWI.

As dean of the new Faculty of Sport, Dr Mansingh is responsible for its overall academic and administrative management, including its financial affairs. He is also expected to represent the faculty on all relevant Campus and UWI boards and committees.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Mansingh, who is also a renowned cricket commentator, said: “Sport for too long has been a pastime in the region. Just about every country in the region has produced a superstar in cricket. The flow of superstars has continued as Jamaica has blazed the track since 1948, continuously.

“This is not just a Jamaican phenomenon, as over the past two decades or so we have had a host of Bahamians and medal winners from small countries such as St Kitts and Nevis (Kim Collins, 100m world champion) and Kirani James of Grenada proving that this phenomenon is regional.”

“The creation of the Faculty of Sport gives an opportunity to bring together all of the creative and scientific minds of the region, while harnessing the leaders in sports and all aspects of sports from throughout the world to offer this support to the athletes,” Dr Mansingh continued.

The Faculty of Sport marks the first faculty to be established at the university in 40 years, the last being the law faculty. The University Council approved its recommendation at the its annual meeting in April this year. Since then a task force was convened to implement its structure. The task force has determined that the UWI faculty will comprise four academies of sport — one on each of the four campuses.

The academies will be made up of three units, namely an academic programme and activity unit; a professionals programme, outreach and projects unit; and a co-curricular and intramural activity unit.

The faculty, which becomes operational in the 2017-2018 academic year, will offer certificate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sports Business, Sports Management, Sports Science, and the Art and Science of Coaching.

Speaking on the appointment of the new Dean and the establishment of the new Faculty of Sport, vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, said: “This is a seminal moment for our university and its region. We are fortunate to have in Dr Mansingh a colleague who possesses the ability to lead this new initiative on multiple fronts — teaching and research, industry partnerships and professional development.”