ISAJ boss says Ja will soon match regional rivals

Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) president, Handel Lamey, feels the country's performance at the recently concluded Carifta Swimming Championships will see them begin to keep pace with their higher ranked regional rivals, in the near future. According to Lamey, some Jamaican performances surpassed his expectations in terms of national and Carifta age group records which fell, including a few long-standing meet records from, as early as 1996.

"We are getting closer to the top; we are moving closer and closer, so we are progressing," reasoned Lamey.

good performances

"We had some very good performances, looking forward to us keeping this team together," the ASAJ boss added.

Lamey assured that the ASAJ will be looking to recruit the skills of a technical director who will be expected to keep the swimmers well conditioned, and improving.

"We need much more work, first and foremost. I think we need a national director that will now direct a national

programme that will focus

not only the junior swimmers,

but senior swimmers," he

continued.

"If we had the national programme, they could fall within that programme right away," he assured. Lamey wants to have a gym in place at the National Aquatics Centre, which he revealed, will be furnished with equipment already here.

Meanwhile, Jamaica placed sixth overall with 530.50 points, ending Carifta with 12 gold, eight silver, and 10 bronze (30 medals).

They surpassed the 25 achieved last year in Martinique.