By Tamica Garnett
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) will send its largest contingent ever to an overseas event after naming 22 participants to attend the Goodwill Games in Suriname from August 13-15.

This was disclosed yesterday by the GASA secretary Dr. Karen Pilgrim, during a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport.

Dr. Pilgrim said according to her recollection, the association had never before sent such a large team to any meet outside of Guyana.

She said that  financial constraints may still rule out the attendance of some of the participants.

The teams will consist of 10 girls and 12 boys participating in four varying age categories.

In spite of the fact that only a few of the swimmers have officially qualified for the event, Dr. Pilgrim disclosed that the team will comprise of a number of unqualified swimmers that had been selected by the technical committee.

She disclosed that some of the unqualified swimmers had been selected to complete relay teams while others had been selected because, despite the fact that they did not qualify, they deserved to attend the event.

Relative to the other competing countries, Dr. Pilgrim said, Guyana’s training measures are behind and this puts the swimmers at a disadvantage.

Subsequently, especially for the younger age groups, the Goodwill Games qualifying times are for the most part, often difficult to attain.

“In other countries the clubs have their own pools, especially Trinidad and Suriname, and then some of them even have swimming in the schools,” Dr. Pilgrim stated.

She said that, notwithstanding the fact that many of the unqualified swimmers did not earn

their way to the event, they have nevertheless justified their attendance by the perseverance that they have shown. Moreover, she said, their participation in no way will take away from those who have qualified for the event.

“Even though they may not have the qualifying times they have justified their attendance by their dedication,” Dr. Pilgrim said.

According to Dr. Pilgrim, the unqualified athletes will be allowed to participate in any number of events, and similarly the qualified swimmers will also be allowed to participate in events for which they have not qualified.

The Goodwill Swim Meet is an annual developmental event in which four countries – Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad and Guyana – compete. Additionally the host country also has the option of inviting a guest country.

Each country is allotted a maximum of 40 participants, and while it is likely that the other countries will send their full complement, Guyana with just over 50% of the capacity is expected to put up very good showing said Dr. Pilgrim.

A 17-member team had represented Guyana at the last event held in Barbados and had captured some 17 medals.

Goodwill 2010 will be held at the Oase Swimming Pool and will see children swimming in races covering 50m and 100m distances in all four strokes – freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke – for age groups ranging between 9 – 17 years old.  There are also 200m freestyle, individual medley events, and age group relays in freestyle and medley races.

Many of the swimmers employ the meet as a stepping stone to higher level competitions, at which they hope to compete.

The local swimmers have been putting in morning training sessions from 5:00 to 7:30 on weekdays and on Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00.

The swimmers are currently in their tapering phase and have ceased land and gym work leading up to the competition.

The girls division will vie strongly on the experience swimmers, such as Soroya Simmons, Athena Gaskin, Britany van Lange and Noelle Smith.

Simmons, Gaskin and van Lange will ply in the 13 – 14 category, while Noella will competet in the 15 – 17 division. The foremost trio is expected to be joined by Athena Foo, to compete in the relays.

Serrano Gonsalves and Ronaldo Rodrigues will be expected to spearhead the boys’ division.

Meanwhile, the boys’ 15 – 17 category will see some new talent making their debut.

The category will depend on the less-experienced, but equally dedicated capabilities of Sheik Amir, Kevon De Moura, Joseph Seguina and Jaime Jabar.

All will be seeking to earn Guyana medals and/or come back with personal best times.

The head coach will be Shyka Gonsalves with Chris McAdam as assistant coach.

They will be supported by the team manager, Jean La Rose, and chaperone, Kamala van Lange.
Girls 9-10

Accalia Khan.

Girls 11 – 12

Onika George, Jamila Sanmoogan, Tiffany De Moura.
Girls 13 – 14

Britany van Lange, Athena Gaskin, Soroya Simmons, Athena Foo.

Girls 15 – 17

Noelle Smith, Steffi De Nobrega.
Boys 11 – 12

Shaqueel Amin, Hannibal Gaskin, Omar Adams, Omari Dunn.
Boys 13 – 14

Ronaldo Rodrigues, Serrano Gonsalves, Travis Henry, Omali Dare.
Boys 15 – 17

Sheik Amir, Kevon De Moura, Jaime Jabar, Joseph Seguina.