OVER 400 swimmers from 55 schools are expected to take part in the 2017 Burger King/Popeyes Prep and Primary Schools Swim Meet to be held May 12-13 at the National Aquatic Pool at the Independence Park Complex.

Olympian and meet director Allan Roy Marsh said there will be 51 events over the two days, and he revealed that 14 of those schools will be participating for the first time.Among the new schools are Half-Way-Tree Primary, Old Harbour Bay Primary, May Pen High and Primary, Kendall Primary, Allman Town Primary, Stony Hill Prep and Learning Centre, Exceed Day Care and Infant, Eagles Kindergarten and Primary, and New Lights Prep.Some 10 primary and 45 prep schools will be participating.“The meet has grown over the years from a small local meet to a very large event, and that is part of us achieving our objective that swimming is to be extended throughout the entire Jamaica,” Marsh noted.Swimmers will be coming from eight parishes — Kingston, St Andrew, St James, St Catherine, Clarendon, Westmoreland, Hanover, and Trelawny.“Many of these swimmers coming from the far rural parishes have never swam or competed in any championship in a pool, as they only swim at the beaches, and it is now a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents,” said Marsh.Defending champions in the Prep school category for girls is Immaculate Conception and Wolmer’s for the boys. Defending primary school champion is Excelsior.The meet director said two new events have been added to the schedule.“There are also two new events added to the meet — the 10-12 200 metres medley, and the mixed relays involving two boys and two girls on each team which should be an exciting race,” said Marsh as he addressed at Eden Gardens Wellness and Lifestyle Limited in Kingston on Tuesday.Meanwhile, Sabrena McDonald Radcliffe, head of sales and marketing at Burger King/Popeyes, said her company has been the sponsor for the past 16 years, while Popeyes will rejoin as co-sponsor.“Both brands will be spending a combined two million Jamaican dollars on the swim meet, reflecting Restaurant Associates Limited’s (RAL) biggest investment in the sport to date,” Radcliffe said.She said both brands are also committed to the growth and development of the sport as it encourages discipline, perseverance and teamwork among young people.“The RAL brands have had a long association with initiatives and programmes which motivate and empower our youth, particularly in sports and education, and this partnership between Burger King and Popeyes and YMCA continues that long-standing tradition,” Radcliffe said.