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Five young Virgin Islanders will leave the Territory on Friday, October 2, to compete in the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge in Incheon, South Korea.
Christopher Robinson, Nicholas Joseph, Stephon Jainauth, Caleb Stoutt and Ricardo Seebaran will represent the BVI from October 7 to 10, marking its fourth consecutive appearance, according to a Government press release.
According to government in a press release, more than 190 national teams are expected at the Olympics-style robotics competition, where high school-aged students build and programme robots while exploring solutions to global challenges.
Under the theme “Igniting Innovation”, this year’s challenge focuses on wildfire prevention, mitigation and recovery. Teams will navigate a simulated environment, demonstrating how technology can help protect communities and reduce wildfire risks.
Team BVI will seek to build on the Territory’s strongest performance last year in Panama, where it placed 42nd globally and first among participating Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States countries. The BVI finished 143rd out of 191 teams in its 2023 debut in Singapore and 111th out of 180 teams in Athens, Greece, in 2024.
Harneys, Exness and NAGICO are supporting the team’s participation. Ahead of departure, the students visited the sponsors’ offices to demonstrate their robot, discuss its design and programming, and thank the organisations for their support.
The competition will also provide opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange with students from around the world.
Christopher Robinson, Nicholas Joseph, Stephon Jainauth, Caleb Stoutt and Ricardo Seebaran will represent the BVI from October 7 to 10, marking its fourth consecutive appearance, according to a Government press release.
According to government in a press release, more than 190 national teams are expected at the Olympics-style robotics competition, where high school-aged students build and programme robots while exploring solutions to global challenges.
Under the theme “Igniting Innovation”, this year’s challenge focuses on wildfire prevention, mitigation and recovery. Teams will navigate a simulated environment, demonstrating how technology can help protect communities and reduce wildfire risks.
Team BVI will seek to build on the Territory’s strongest performance last year in Panama, where it placed 42nd globally and first among participating Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States countries. The BVI finished 143rd out of 191 teams in its 2023 debut in Singapore and 111th out of 180 teams in Athens, Greece, in 2024.
Harneys, Exness and NAGICO are supporting the team’s participation. Ahead of departure, the students visited the sponsors’ offices to demonstrate their robot, discuss its design and programming, and thank the organisations for their support.
The competition will also provide opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange with students from around the world.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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