Friday 27 March was perhaps the most anticipated day on the annual student calendar. Since the restart of this traditional event post pandemic, this edition of the Students' Sports Day continued to show signs of growth in attendance, participation and field expansion. Put on by the University's Sport and Recreation Unit, the event saw approximately 2,000 persons journeying to share in the fun and campus rivalries.

Following a welcome address from Ajay Balkissoon, Executive Guild President, the event was declared open by Professor Donnie Boodlal, Vice President, Research, Academic and Student Affairs, and began with the exciting march past, followed by the staff race and student novelty races.

Dubbed 'The Marching Spectacle', the theatrical march past presentation done by seven campuses, was graded over ten categories by independent marching instructors from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). After weeks of preparation and dedicated practice, students displayed their choreographed routines under the blazing sun and enthusiastic eyes of fellow students and staff. Creativity and uniformity were both visible and audible, with the rebranded San Fernando Spartans adjudged march past winners to re-claim the coveted title from APA Phoenix.

The staff race featured obstacles, with the winner getting two tickets to Tobago. In the male category, Mishca Mohammed, of Facilities and Maintenance claimed the top prize, while in the female category, Chronna Khan from Undergraduate Studies reclaimed her winning habit from last year.

In the novelty races, the San Fernando Spartans also claimed the Champions title, certainly living up to their new name, showing prowess and dominance over the other campuses. Despite not counting toward points and placement, owing to continuous requests and public demand, the day ended with a male and female sprint and the now infamous signature event, 'Walk and Wine'.

Special recognition and commendation go out to:

• Members of the Board of Governors - Christine Bann, Dr Esther Cruickshank, Sherine Janglee-Mungal and Amit Sooknanan for attending their first UTT Students' Sports Day
• Professor Rean Maraj, President (Ag), and Daisha Maxwell, Vice President, Human Resource and Administration who made appearances after prior engagements, to spend time with students and staff.
• The contingent of students from UTT Tobago Campus, who made the inter-island trip to ensure the sister isle was well represented
• UTT's grounds staff for high standard field preparation
• Campus Management and Security for a safe and clean facility
• Dr Andell Edwards and Rolly Hosein who kept spectators engaged and entertained with their announcing, and finally,
• All students and staff who made their presence felt to support their University and this important recreational initiative.