THE Guyana team to the Goodwill Swim Meet that will be held from August 17 – 19 is expected to begin departing for Barbados this morning, and notwithstanding the challenges that the team is facing this year, Coach Shyka Gonsalves is optimistic about the team’s chances.

“It all comes down to who wants it more, who’s more excited, whose adrenalin is pumping. The team is down an entire age group, 15 – 17 girls, which takes out individual and relay points, but you still got to be optimistic, be hopeful and keep the kids excited,” Gonsalves said.

The 36 swimmers who will be representing Guyana this weekend is scheduled to come up against swimmers from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, St Lucia, The Bahamas, Grenada and Jamaica, competing from the eight and under category up to the 15 – 17 category. Each team is allotted a maximum of 40 swimmers.

And though Guyana has been able to come close to a full team, the team will not be without its challenges in the ‘Land of the Flying Fish’ this year.

Despite its large size, the Guyana team will enter the competition with a disadvantage, having no swimmers to compete in the 15 – 17 category, something that hits the team hard, especially since this is a category in which Guyana could’ve gain a lot of points, given that the other countries are also struggling in this category.

“It’s going to hit pretty hard because in actuality it seems to be the age group lacking in some of the countries as well, so if we had had a 15 – 17 age group it would have helped us a great deal. But unfortunately for us, our girls are in between. So we literally have no one in this category in any of these clubs,” Gonsalves explained

This puts even more pressure on the swimmers in the other categories to do well. But Gonsalves is confident that they will step up to the plate.

“The kids have been training really hard morning and afternoon, so I have really good expectations for them; they’re excited and some of them are placed really well [in the start list]. Most of the older ones are in the top eight, and we also have [projected] medal standings,” Gonsalves shared.

“In my opinion, our stronghold are our 11 – 12 and 9 – 10, boys and girls. Especially girls for 9 – 10 and boys and girls for 11 – 12.  We’ve some good swimmers like Aleka in 11 – 12. The relay teams they’ve bonded really well, so they’re really moving as well.”

However, we will see another weak point in the 8 and under age groups where the entire boys team is made up of first-time swimmers, while on the distaff side several of the swimmers are also first-timers.

Team manager Jennel Ramsook also is optimistic about the team’s chances going into the competition. She took the time to thank the sponsors who made it possible for the team to be able to make it to the competition.

“Goodluck to our 36 swimmers, and I just want to thank our sponsors– Dyna’s, ExxonMobil, Liat, GPL, Guyana Lottery Company, Guyana Olympic Association, National Dance Company and all the parents who supported our little fundraisers. We are very grateful and looking forward to your continued support,” Ramsook said.

Meanwhile, The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated yesterday handed over a sponsorship cheque to boys 15 – 17 swimmer, Joseph Matthew, to facilitate his participation at the meet.

GPL’s Assistant Public Relations Officer, Natalie Penard, said this is in keeping with their corporate responsibility. Pernard noted that the utility company has a keen interest in youth development and sports.

“So, we have taken interest in Joseph’s performance over the years and are happy to be associated with such an important venture. We know that we are helping Joseph to live his dreams to one day becoming an Olympian. So, we are happy to make this donation,” Penard said.