ANTOFAGASTA, Chile — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz received a warm welcome from their host city Antofagasta upon their arrival at the Andrés Sabella Airport in the sea-side town here just after 1:30 pm (11:30 am Jamaica time) yesterday.

Led by the city’s Governor Valentin Volta Valencia, as well as other state officials from the sport and culture ministries, the Jamaicans were greeted at a small reception where cultural dancers performed the country’s national dance, as well as a more traditional dance associated with the northern section of the country.

Governor Valencia then presented Jamaica Football Federation General Secretary Raymond Grant and Captain Rodolph Austin with a token after which the media engaged players and technical staff in interviews.

Antofagasta will host the Boyz in the lead-up to the Copa America Chile 2015 tournament, which kicks off next Thursday, as well as their first two games against defending champions Uruguay next Saturday, followed by Paraguay on Tuesday, June 16.

The Boyz will then travel south to Vina del Mar on Saturday, June 20 to engage one of the tournament favourites, Argentina, led by the irrepressible Lionel Messi.

Four players — Austin, Dino Williams, Allan Ottey and Hughan Gray — along with team officials, departed Jamaica on Thursday afternoon for Panama, from where they connected to Santiago on a near six-hour flight.

They arrived in Santiago at about 3:00 am (1:00 am Jamaica time), but had to wait for their local midday flight when they were joined by the players connecting primarily from Europe — Dwayne Miller, Ryan Thompson, Michael Hector, Wes Morgan, Adrian Mariappa, Daniel Gordon, Joel McAnuff, Simon Dawkins, Garath McCleary and Joel Grant.

Under strong police presence, including the city’s chief, the contingent was transported to the Terrado Suites Hotel but not before it was presented with earthquake warnings and instructions.

Chile lies off an earthquake belt and is susceptible to the natural disaster.

Despite the tiresome travel, including 14 hours for the players arriving from Europe, head coach Winfried Schaefer had called a training session for 7:00 pm at a nearby training base yesterday.

The immediate emphasis is to return the players’ to a high fitness level for them to compete adequately. Most of these players ended their club season a couple weeks ago.

Jamaica oppose Uruguay in Group B next Thursday at 2:00 pm (Jamaica time). The other players are expected to arrive within the next few days, except Je-Vaughn Watson of FC Dallas, who is not expected to join the team until June 14.