MIKE Fennell, head of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), said the team to the XVI Pan American Games in Mexico was deem to be a good one, despite a weaken track and field aggregation and other sporting disciplines just finding their way in their respective events.

“We don’t have our top line track and field athletes with us, but it’s a good team. We’re very fortunate to have a lot of depth in track and field in Jamaica, therefore we can still make a good presence there,” said Fennell.

An 84-member delegation that will participate in 11 sporting disciplines will depart on three separates days for Guadalajara, Mexico for the October 14-30 event. The first set of athletes will leave on October 11, while others will join them on the 19th and 20th.

Jamaica will participate in athletics, badminton, women’s basketball, boxing, beach volleyball, cycling, equestrian, shooting, squash, swimming and taekwondo.

“As far as the other sports are concerned, we’re still developing those and they are still struggling to make their marks in the Americas.

“We had a disappointment with boxing with one of the boxers being disqualified because of an injury. In boxing you can depend on them doing quite well.

“The swimmers have been doing quite well, in particular, Alia Atkinson. The badminton players are up against very stiff competition and it will take some time for the sport to come to the fore.

“Equestrian — excellent chances, because she (Samantha Albert) has good international reputation. Taekwondo: again, an unknown factor; we’re not sure of the quality we will be up against,” noted Fennell.

Fennell, who is also the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said he was particularly disappointed that Jamaica won’t be participating in football — a sport that brought success the last time of asking.

“The last time the boys got a silver medal and the girls gave a good showing. None of them qualified on this occasions,” he pointed out.

The team officials had a meeting on Wednesday where they finalised preparations for the Games at the JOA offices and had a briefing on the anti-doping rules and regulations.

They were joined by Olivia Grange, Minister of Sports, who wished the team well.

As usual, track and field is expected to garner most of the medals and 32 athletes will try and keep Jamaica in the forefront.

Simone Facey, Anastasia LeRoy, Olivia McKoy and Patricia Hall will be among the 15 women selected, while Commonwealth 100m champion Lerone Clarke, Isa Philips, Claston Bernard, Oshane Bailey, Lansford Spence and Maurice Smith head the 17 member men’s team.

Head coach Raymond ‘KC’ Graham said it was difficult to get the top athletes at this time, coming out of the World Championships and the lucrative Grand Prix circuit.

Said Graham: “As usual, those that are sent will do their best representing the country. We are in the same position like every other country and the playing field is level. I think we have a good crop of athletes and we expect to hold our own.”