A robotics team from St Vincent and the Grenadines has outperformed all other Caribbean nations at the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge, an international competition held in Incheon, South Korea from October 7 to 10.
The Vincentian squad placed 13th overall among more than 180 teams competing worldwide, posting a ranking score of 274.3 over 11 matches. Their performance secured them a spot in the FIRST Global playoffs, marking a significant result for a small island developing state.
Virgin Islands Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Sharie B. de Castro acknowledged the achievement in a statement of regional support. "I'm just here to big up Team St Vincent and the Grenadines. Congratulations on being the top Caribbean country to make it into the FIRST Global playoffs. That's a big deal," she said. "As a Small Island Developing State, for you to do this at this level, we're proud."
De Castro invoked the Caribbean phrase "You're small, but you're TALLAWAH" to underscore the team's strength and determination in reaching the world stage.
The FIRST Global Challenge brings together young people to compete in robotics while promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. The 2026 event drew participation from more than 190 national teams.
De Castro noted that the Vincentian team's success illustrates what young people from small Caribbean territories can achieve when they receive proper opportunity, training and backing. She urged the region to continue investing in robotics, STEAM and innovation programmes. "We just want to use this opportunity to encourage support for robotics, for STEAM, STEM, innovation and creativity in the Caribbean region," she said.
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