High expectations for badminton juniors

Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) President David Thomas has high expectations of the Junior Pam Am team, which will start leaving the island tomorrow for the Junior Pam American Games in Tijuana, Mexico, from August 2-9.

The Under-19 and Under-17 teams leave the island tomorrow, while the Under-15s and Under-13s are set to travel on Monday.

Thomas expects the females to be competitive in their age groups, but is also looking for medal performances from the men, which included last year’s men’s Under-19 doubles winner, Sean Wilson, and the youth teams, Under-13 and Under-15.

“The Under-19 men have a strong team, our Under-19 player Sean Wilson was the doubles gold medallist from last year, and his brother (Shane) has improved quite a bit, so we expect them to do well, we expect some good things.

“The Wilson brothers put in a lot of effort and we expect good things from both of them. I also expect a very good singles performance from his brother (Shane) who is also Under-17s.”

Although Thomas expects a strong showing from the Under-17 and Under-19 teams, he anticipates an even better medal return from the Under-15s and under-13s.

Last year’s Under-17 mix doubles bronze medallist, Alana Bailey, will lead the females’ medal charge this time and Thomas expects her to do well again.

“She’s playing well now, and in her age group (U17) she can medal. I expect her to do well in the Under-17s (singles) and Under-19 mix doubles,” he continued.

The nine-man delegation set to travel to Mexico tomorrow are Sean Wilson, Shane Wilson, Alana Bailey, Tahlia Richardson, Zane Reid, Rhys Reid, Keyon’dre McBean, coach Howard Ranger, and manager Alya Lewis.