Antigua and Barbuda is set to host its inaugural National Inter-School Warri Championship on February 28, 2026, marking a significant cultural revival initiative spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Ministry of Education. The event will transform the J. E. St. Luce Building in St. John’s into a vibrant arena where primary and secondary students from across the nation will compete in this traditional African board game, celebrated for its strategic depth and cultural significance.
Scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM with an opening ceremony and preliminary rounds, the championship will progress through semi-finals at 12:30 PM, culminating in finals and an awards presentation by 1:30 PM. The tournament represents a deliberate effort to reconnect younger generations with ancestral heritage, particularly as Black History Month concludes, emphasizing the game’s role as both intellectual exercise and cultural artifact.
The championship transcends mere competition, serving as a dynamic celebration of identity, resilience, and traditional knowledge preservation. Educational officials and cultural experts will attend alongside traditional Warri masters, providing authentic context to this ‘thinking man’s game’ that has long symbolized African intellectual tradition in the Caribbean.
Open to all primary and secondary institutions, the event encourages nationwide participation, with organizers urging parents, educators, and cultural enthusiasts to witness this groundbreaking convergence of youth engagement and historical continuity. The initiative aims to ensure Warri’s legacy remains a living, thriving component of Antiguan and Barbudan culture rather than a relic of the past.