With the budget for the 25-member team for the Carifta Swimming Championship set to cost approximately $10 million, Handel Lamey, president of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), is appealing to corporate Jamaica for support to offset the expenses.

The appeal was made shortly after the team was named for the 31st Carifta Swimming Championships to be held in Martinique March 22-26. The championship also includes water polo, open water swimming and synchronised swimming.

The Carifta Championships is a FINA-approved qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. It also serves as the top junior amateur swim meet in the Caribbean.

Lamey pointed out that most of the expenses in the budget will be for travelling and accommodation; therefore, every bit of assistance will be welcomed to ease the burden off the parents who were ask to underwrite most of the cost.

“It is a pretty hefty sum to finance the team because they will have to fly to Miami and overnight in the city and then fly over to Martinique the following day. And it will be the same process when they are coming back, so most of the funds will be for travelling and accommodation,” he told the Jamaica Observer in a telephone interview yesterday.

Lamey, who recently took over the reins of the association, noted that negotiations with several companies are going “slow” in the effort to acquire funding.

“The aquatics programmes have tremendous potential for long-term partnership and should sponsors come on board, they would be able to gain exposure, among other benefits. So with respect to their products, if the fraternity will become more accustomed to and will utilise them more, [that] is another marketing avenue,” he said in relation to potential sponsors.

Meanwhile, Lamey has high expectations for the 25-member team, which comprises 11 local and 14 overseas-based swimmers.

Jamaica won 25 medals, which includes two gold, nine silver and 14 bronze, when placing fifth overall with 458 points at the Carifta Championships in Barbados last year.

“These swimmers are an extremely talented group and I expect them to produce tangible results, while fully exploiting the opportunities presented to them. So every bit of support for these guys will be greatly welcomed,” he said.

Team: 11-12 – Emily MacDonald, Simone Vale, Rajiv Redhi; 13-14 – Gabrianna Banks, Naomi Eaton, Brittney Williams, Laura Lim Sang, Chester Adams, Cameron Brown, Jordane Payne, Nicholas Vale; 15-17 – Anjuii Barrett, Kelsie Campbell, Shaun Johnson, Annabella Lyn (Open Water), Bryanna Renuart, Angara Sinclair, Joseph Black, Mattheau Bonner, Keanan Dols, Sean-Douglas Gooden, Barak Goren, Jesse Marsh, Xavier Phillips, Johnathan Lyn (Open Water).

— Sherdon Cowan