For some, the Jamaica-China Sports Technical Exchange Programme is merely just a training trip, but to Lloye Guwalani, the programme represents a promise, illuminating the path to a brighter and more competitive future for Jamaican swimming.

Guwalani, who will serve as team manager to an 18-member delegation currently en route to China, pointed out that the journey marks a significant milestone for Jamaica in particular, as she highlighted the importance of the initiative, which was designed to enhance the development of Jamaica's swimming talent through international exposure and training.

The project started in 2018, was due for completion in 2020, but was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the final leg of the three-year initiative is now on course to be completed.

“I am extremely pleased that the programme is now back in full effect after the COVID pandemic. It provides our athletes with invaluable opportunities to train in world-class facilities, learn from top-tier coaches, and experience a different competitive environment. These are experiences that will undoubtedly elevate their performances at the local and international level, and also broaden their perspectives,” Guwalani told SportsMax.TV prior to departure.

Established as part of a broader cultural and sporting partnership between the two nations, the Jamaica-China Sports Technical Exchange Programme aims to foster mutual growth and development. For Jamaica, this means leveraging China's advanced training methodologies and infrastructure to benefit its athletes.

In fact, the swim delegation's visit, scheduled to last two months, includes rigorous training sessions, friendly competitions, and cultural exchanges that are set to enrich the athletes' experiences both in and out of the pool.

Members of the swim delegation pay a courtesy call on Minister of Sports Olivia Grange prior to departure.

Guwalani expressed delight to share in the initiative as a part of the programme also involves coaching experience and assists with enhances coaching abilities.

“I am also grateful that I was selected by the ASAJ, especially being a swim parent from Western Jamaica, team manager of the Sailfish Swim Academic, and having five out of the fifteen swimmers, who are from the West as participants in this programme. It is a phenomenal opportunity, especially given the absence of a 50-metre training facility to serve the growing demand of competitive swimming in the West,” Guwalani shared.

That said, she emphasized that the benefits of the exchange programme extend beyond the immediate training and competition opportunities.

“This is about building a foundation for the future of Jamaican swimming. Our athletes are ambassadors for the sport, and the experiences they bring back will inspire and motivate younger swimmers. It's about creating a legacy of excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” Guwalani said.

“In the end, I am hoping that our swimmers will make the best use of this opportunity. Set their goals and make the very best effort to achieve them. Our two coaches that are also a part of this delegation, Coach Zachary Johnson and Coach Omarie Sawyers seeking to gain the additional technical knowledge that can be garnered from this experience, and further take that to Jamaica and relay to our other coaches. So there is certainly a lot to be gained from this programme by all,” she reasoned.

Meanwhile, among the 15 swimmers is Zaneta Alvaranga, who was a prominent figure for Jamaica at regional and international swimming events, prior to taking a break from national representation for personal reasons. Alvaranga and her Kaizen Swim Club mate Devaughn Robe, are the only two returning swimmers from the initial batch of 15.

Zaneta Alvaranga (right) and members of the swim delegation share a photo opportunity during a stopover in Panama.

“I’m feeling good about going to China for a second year. The first time I went, I returned fitter and more competitive and I am hoping it will be a similar experience this time around. This programme is crucial for our development, as training in China allows us to push our limits, as well as improve on and learn new techniques, so I am excited to see what this trip holds,” Alvaranga stated.

By all indications, Alvaranga, known for her exceptional performances in the butterfly and freestyle events, is using this outing as a stepping stone to rekindle her passion for national representation.

"Every experience like this brings us one step closer to our dreams. The knowledge and skills we gain will not only benefit us individually, but also help to raise the overall standard of swimming in Jamaica. So, I am definitely hoping that it will get me back to a state of competitiveness for future competitions, including national competitions,” she declared.

"China has a rich history of excellence in swimming, and we are thrilled to learn from them. I think I can speak for the others in saying that we are ready to absorb everything we can, work hard, and bring our best back to Jamaica. And as I said, it is for me to get back into the groove of things,” Alvaranga ended.

The programme also involves women's football, basketball, badminton, and volleyball, among others.

With the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) championships beckoning, Jamaica's swimmers and officials are buzzing about the possibilities, as they gear up for tough competition in El Salvador.

The 17-member team to be headed by coach Kafia Rapley is currently very active in preparation and will have another week or two to put the final pieces in place ahead of their August 12 departure.

During that build up period, the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) will also be seeking to bridge the gap in $6.1 million budget to ease pressure off the parents in getting the team to the championships scheduled for August 14-18.

Though they have made some inroads, with other potential sponsors making commitments to come on board, ASAJ president Martin Lyn says they welcome those who would want to offer further assistance at this point.

“CCCAN is a parent supported event with a very big budget, we have gotten some of that money so far and we have other sponsors coming on board. But we certainly welcome if anybody else wants to come on board because that would only be good for us and the swimmers because the reality is that this is a very big championship for us,” Lyn told reporters during a press briefing at the National Aquatic Centre on Thursday.

While the administration oversees that aspect of things, Head coach Rapley is more focused on having the athletes mentally and physically prepared to showcase their prowess against the likes of Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Barbados, and of course, the host nation, among others.

A few of the country’s standout swimmers in last year’s team captain Zaneta Alvaranga, Sabrina Lyn, who recently competed at the World Aquatic Championships and Kito Campbell, who recently broke a national record, are noticeably absentees from the team.

“Preparation has been going well, we currently meet twice per week to do team building, bonding and also training. Not having some of the more senior swimmers is beyond our control and their presence will certainly be missed, but the swimmers that will travel are expected to be competitive,” Rapley told journalists.

Following a number of superb performances at the Carifta Swimming Championships earlier this year, Jamaica's contingent will no doubt embark on a quest to make further inroads on the regional rankings.

Though admitting that matching and, by extension, surpassing last year’s 25-medal haul, will take some doing with this small contingent, she believes a number of personal best times could certainly be rewritten when the Jamaicans take to the pool at this year's five-day championship.

Jamaica also placed fifth on the point standings last year, with 418.5 points, behind Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Bahamas, in that order.

“With a smaller team it's going to be very difficult to match or surpass last year's tally, but what I am looking forward to is our relay teams because those combinations will be very competitive. I don't see why we shouldn't come out with podium finishes there. Individually, the swimmers are doing well but again, to match last year's haul will be a stretch,” Rapley shared.

That said, Rianna Scott, the lone female in the 13-14 age group, overseas-based Carolyn Levy-Powell and 15-17 swimmers Leanna Wainwright and Devaughn Robe, who both qualified for the World Aquatic Junior Championships, are expected to lead the medal charge.

“Some of these swimmers are the future of Jamaica's Aquatics, they are coming from the Carifta Games and most if not all of them competed at the Goodwill Games last year, so they have literally been through every phase of competition representing the country,” Rapley said.

“You have swimmers like Jessica Denniston, who won gold at the Carifta Games, Kai Radcliffe, who has several regional medals and Waldon McIntosh, who has won several medals at this very championship. We also have a few first-timers for CCCAN and we are going to see how they do and what they are made of. So, I'm satisfied with what I have, I'm liaising with the overseas athletes and their coaches to ensure that they are in good health and good spirits,” she ended.

Team: Kia Alert, Jessica Denniston, Nolan Barrett, Cameron Brown, Adlaine Nixon, Rianna Scott, Kai Radcliffe, Waldon McIntosh, Nathan Wright, Zack-Andre Johnson, Carolyn Levy-Powell, Leanna Wainwright, Benjamin Davis, Charles McIntosh, Devaughn Robe, Lia Forrester, Kaheem Lozer

Jamaica’s 15-17 200m freestyle mixed relay team was in record-breaking form at the 2022 CCCAN Swimming Championships on Monday’s opening day in Barbados.

The team of Devaughn Robe (24.84), Zaneta Alvaranga (25.63), Sabrina Lyn (26.43) and Nelson Denny (24.15) took the victory in 1:41.05, a new national record.

At the Pan Am aquatics Age Group Championships in June in Trinidad and Tobago, the team of Nelson Denny (24.48), Leanna Wainwright (27.75), Morgan Cogle (27.21) and Zachary Jackson-Blaine (24.11) had set the previous mark of 1:43.55 to take silver.

Individually, Kabiki Thomas took bronze in the Boys’ 13-14 100m breaststroke on Wednesday.

Thomas, swimming from lane eight, achieved a personal best 1:11.88 to win bronze. Thomas also took silver in the same discipline in 1:12.45 at the Pan Am Age Group Championships in June after a fifth-place effort at April’s CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Barbados.