Capri-Sun dives in

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Capri-Sun has taken over as title sponsors of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica/Capri-Sun Prep/Primary School Swim meet after being associate sponsors in previous years.

Capri-Sun, which is distributed by World Brands Services, a division of GK Foods and Services Limited, GraceKennedy, is sponsoring the December 3 meet to the tune of $350,000.

The meet will be staged at the National Stadium Pool and will feature close to 600 participants from more than 25 schools competing in 48 events. The children will be separated into four age groups - six and under, seven to eight, nine to 10 and 11-12. The day's activities will be divided into two sessions, with the morning session set to swim off at 8:30 and the afternoon section at 2:00.

The eventual winners will receive the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) shield, while the ASAJ Energy Trophy will be presented to the school with the best team spirit and general sportsmanship. Trophies will also be awarded to the second- and third-place schools, the top female and male schools and the top primary school.

It will cost adults $300 to watch the entire day of competition and $200 if they wish to only attend one session; children will be required to pay $50.

"We saw it as a perfect opportunity to be affiliated with the swimming association basically because our product stands for having fun and targets the kids as this level," commercial manager of World Brands Services, Patrick Goulbourne, outlined while speaking at the media and event launch held at the National Stadium Pool yesterday. "Once it is within our power we will try to continue the sponsorship, because we want to develop our children," he added.

President of the ASAJ, Martin Lyn, is of the view that the meet is vitally significant to the development of swimming locally.

Feather in cap

"This is absolutely important, because this is where the swimmers get a chance to start doing their stuff from an early age," Lyn declared. "At this level, to bring a big sponsor like Capri-Sun on board, clearly with an intention to stay with us, this is definitely a good feather in our cap," he added.

The meet, which has produced the likes of Jamaica's all-time top female swimmer, Olympic finalist Janelle Atkinson-Wignall (Lannaman's Preparatory), and the current top female and male swimmers, Alia Atkinson (Vaz Preparatory) and Brad Hamilton (Wolmer's Preparatory) respectively, is in its 11th year.

Hillel Preparatory School are defending champions, having amassed 1002.50 points last year, 222.50 more than second-place St Peter and Paul Preparatory (780), while Stella Maris Preparatory (719) finished third.