World Aquatics rebrand could mean increase in funding for ASAJ – Lyn
Long awaited pumping system in Jamaica and ready to be installed
Published:Sunday | December 25, 2022 | 1:48 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
World Aquatics rebrand from FINA, according to Aquatics Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) president Martin Lyn, could come with some financial benefits, as the world governing body of swimming commits to increasing aid to smaller countries.
The federation voted for the name change on Monday at its Extraordinary General Congress in Australia, with a new constitution that is expected to take effect next January. Those changes include introducing term and age limits for the president.
Because of the high cost of attending, Lyn said there was no representative present at the Congress but that his association supports the rebrand, especially with the added committment to increasing financial support for small countries like Jamaica
“The good thing about World Aquatics rebranding itself is that they have indicated to every federation that they are prepared to put more funds into smaller countries. They have already indicated to us that they are going to start helping smaller countries, and we fall into that category,” Lyn said.
Lyn said that, with the rebrand, it ensures that all aquatic sports will be properly represented.
“The rebranding of it is better because it gives you the impression now exactly what they are doing, being more inclusive, which we are proud of,” Lyn said.
Closer to home, the pool at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) will see improvements in the new year as new pumps that were acquired this year are in Jamaica and ready to be installed.
FUNDING ISSUES
The association submitted a request for financial assistance in November 2020 after the pumping system broke down. The Sports Development Foundation (SDF) lent assistance to complete temporary repairs but the scheduled replacement of the pumps in June of 2021 was delayed because of funding issues.
Lyn said that that installation will begin on Tuesday. According to the president, the installation will reduce maintenance costs, which average more than $1 million per month.
“The pumps are here now and the pumps are going to be installed as of the 27th of December. That will be a big help to us. With the new pumps, it will give us better quality of water and it also uses less electricity. It will also cut down on our chemical usage, which means cut down on our maintenance,” Lyn said.
“With the new pumps, we look forward to making a big dent in those (maintenance costs).”
The installation of the system comes ahead of Jamaica’s plan to host the Goodwill Games next year.
With the pumps and filtration system out of the way, Lyn has asked for patience with upgrades of a more aesthetic nature.
“The most important thing was to get the filtration system, which we got two years ago. That was a $20-million injection. The pumps are $24 million. That is a big injection for us. Then, after that, we can look at improvements.”