Antigua and Barbuda has retained its title at the 54th Leeward Islands Debating Competition, defeating host nation Nevis in the finals held Sunday evening on the island.
According to Antigua News Room, the national pair of Leanna Browne and Janica Adams secured the championship with a combined total of 694 points, outscoring Nevis, which tallied 639 points. Adams also earned the individual distinction of Best Speaker of the competition.
The final debate centred on the moot: "Caribbean governments should provide free tertiary education to citizens up to the undergraduate degree level." The matchup brought together the defending champions from Antigua and Barbuda and the host nation Nevis, both having advanced through earlier rounds of the regional contest.
The Leeward Islands Debating Competition convenes student debaters from across the sub-region annually to engage on public policy and social issues of Caribbean significance. Antigua and Barbuda's latest victory marks yet another successful defence of the title in the longstanding regional competition.
