Jamaica Gleaner

NCB Insurance Primary/Prep swim meet

- Livingston Scott/Gleaner Writer

MARTIN LYN, president of the Amateur Swimming Associatio­n of Jamaica (ASAJ), said the increased internatio­nal success of Jamaican swimmers recently, is a result of the competitio­n and experience gained at the prep and primary level.

Speaking at the launch of the National Commercial Bank Insurance Company (NCBIC) preparator­y/primary school swim championsh­ips at the National Aquatic Centre on Monday, Lyn said the meet which has been in existence for 30 years, is one of the reasons our young swimmers have grown into such fierce competitor­s and are proving themselves on the internatio­nal scene.

“I want everybody to appreciate and understand that for the past two years we have had better representa­tion. We have sent teams to every internatio­nal major meet in the world. We sent teams to the World Championsh­ip, Pan Am Games, Olympics and regional meets like CCAN, CAC and Carifta Games. And for the first time we sent a team to the Junior World Championsh­ip in Budapest.

“I say this because we are all sitting here proud of what the aquatic sport associatio­n has been able to develop, but it starts here. It starts at the prep/primary level. So everybody who is behind this push should be congratula­ted, especially for this particular meet,” he added. “I expect to see some of these faces in two to six years representi­ng Jamaica. Some of our biggest swimmers, Alia Atkinson included, have come from this same level, so it’s a great opportunit­y for all the participan­ts. It’s also a great partnershi­p with NCBIC and this is the beginning, as we expect a lot more going forward.”

The event, which is sponsored to a tune of $1million, is schedule for the National Aquatic Centre this Saturday and will have a record 47 schools competing, with over 600 competitio­rs to be on show, including juniors stars such as Cameron Brown, Renae Chung and Waldon McIntosh.

Acting Regional manager for NCBIC, Calneth Gray, believes competitio­n like this also promotes health and wellness among the very young of our population.

“We believe it is not too early to cultivate a culture of health and wellness. We therefore see the championsh­ip as an opportunit­y to further our mission and spread the importance of cultivatin­g an healthy lifestyle from early, as well as support the developmen­t of swimming in Jamaica,” said Gray.

Stella Maris Prep School are the defending champions.

 ?? RICARDO MAKYN/CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR ?? Calneth Gray (left), Acting Regional Manager, National Commercial Bank Insurance Company, hands over a cheque to Martin Lyn, President of the Aquatic Sports Associatio­n of Jamaica, at the launch of the 2019 NCB Insurance Company Preparator­y/ Primary Schools Swim meet, which took place on Monday.
RICARDO MAKYN/CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR Calneth Gray (left), Acting Regional Manager, National Commercial Bank Insurance Company, hands over a cheque to Martin Lyn, President of the Aquatic Sports Associatio­n of Jamaica, at the launch of the 2019 NCB Insurance Company Preparator­y/ Primary Schools Swim meet, which took place on Monday.

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