The Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) on Wednesday received a timely and well-needed $3 million from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports (CGES) through their agency the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) towards the hosting of the 27th Goodwill Swimming Championship.

The three-day championship, to be staged at the National Aquatics Centre at Independence Park, is expected to feature 300 swimmers from nine countries, including Jamaica. Action is to begin today and end on Sunday.

Sport Minister Olivia Grange said that the Government is in full support of Jamaica’s hosting of the championship.

“The Government is solidly behind our young people in sports and that’s why, at this time, we have been able to provide some funding through the Sports Development Foundation of $3 million to assist in the hosting of the Games here.

“I am certainly looking forward to great results from them. We have a delegation of 40 [swimmers], and because it’s at home we are able to maximise the numbers. The Goodwill Championships are important to us. We have been able to make our mark over the years. Last year we brought home 92 medals and this year I am hoping we will do as well.”

Martin Lyn, president of the ASAJ, was pleased to receive the funds just ahead of the start of the meet.

“It’s always good to get some funding. We really are pleased with the input of the sports minister and SDF. This will go a long way to helping us to establish what it is that we need to do. Fortunately, we are hosting the games in Jamaica, so it takes the pressure off of parents to find money to send their children away.”

Lyn is also hoping that Jamaica will be able to host more swimming championships going forward.

“The important thing is to host more games so that we can stay here at home. Because we are at home we can field the best team, the biggest team, so I really look forward to our athletes performing well.”

Female team Captain Khiara Roomes is hoping to inspire the team to some great performances over the three days.

“This weekend is a very exciting weekend for all of us. We hope to all do our best and as the female captain I hope to bring a lot of vibes and enthusiasm to the team. I hope that we can all do as many personal bests as possible, win as many high-point trophies as possible, and we all do our best because really and truly that’s all we ever ask for, for everybody to do their best,” she said.

Male team captain, Akeem Nicely, wants to inspire the team to a first-ever victory at the championships.

“This weekend I am aiming for a high-point trophy. As male captain I am mostly trying to encourage my team to do extremely well and medal so that we can win the overall trophy and make Jamaica come first,” he said.

The event begins with an opening ceremony at 4:30 pm before the swimmers get their first taste of action immediately. after.