Having established themselves as the most prolific supporter of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), Petrojam has once again come up big with a $3-million sponsorship to fuel the team to the 21st staging of the Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships.

The petroleum company has also committed a further $1 million towards Swim Jamaica’s ‘Learn to Swim’ programme in its handover of a symbolic $4-million cheque at a media briefing at the National Aquatics Centre yesterday.

The $3-million allocation will cover accommodation and transportation expenses for the 28-member delegation that will depart the island next week for the June 29 to July 2 championship in Nassau, Bahamas.

Latoya Pennant, public relations officer of Petrojam, outlined that her company’s support is part of their corporate responsibility to support and provide the young swimmers with the opportunity to showcase their talents nationally and internationally.

“The team’s outstanding performances year after year is testament of what can be accomplished through teamwork, but most importantly, through corporate support. It allows them to build their confidence and show the region, and by extension the world, just what they are made of,” said Pennant.

Gillian Millwood, one of two coaches for the team, had high expectations of the team and boldy declared her predictions of 11 golds, seven silver and 11 bronze for a 29-medal haul.

She pointed out that the 24-member team, with 16 overseas-based swimmers, is one of the strongest unit to represent the island.

“They (predictions) are practical because my expectations are based on their current C times — we look at times from Barbados nationals and we are getting to look at Bahamas nationals coming up on the weekend. We have also looked at what they have done in their high school and university set-ups.

“So those 29 medals that we are expecting are baseline projections because we expect more out of the mix relay and out of the 18-and-over boys,” she told journalists.

The 18 and over male and female teams, which comprise all overseas-based swimmers, will be using the championship as an Olympic qualifier with hopes of hitting the B or even A standard-qualifying times.

Team: 11-12 — Emily MacDonald, Simone Vale, Rajiv Redhi; 13-14 Laura Lim Sang, Britney Williams, Chester Adams, Cameron Brown, Adrian Grant, Jordane Payne, Nicholas Vale; 15-17 —Kelsie Campbell, Annabella Lyn, Bryanna Renuart, Angara Sinclair, Joseph Cardozo, Keanan Dols, Jesse Marsh; 18 & — over-Michelle Dols, Trudi-Ann Patrick, Breanna Roman, Justin Plaschka, Dominic Walter, Sidrell Williams, Timothy Wynter.