NINE swimmers from Guyana will compete at the Junior South American Championships which will run from November 8 to 14 in Peru.

Among the names selected are Olympian Aleka Persaud and the promising Leon Seaton Jr while Elliot Gonsalves, Patrice Mahaica, Daniel Claxton, Ariel Rodrigues, Amber Degoeas, Shareffah Lewis, and Nathan Jackson, complete the team.

They departed these shores yesterday morning. They are joined by coaches Sean Baksh and Shyka Gonsalves while Loren Mahaica will act as chaperone.

According to a release, Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) secretary, Yalema Phillips, will join at a later date to “expand her portfolio by attending the Administrative Congress offered by CONSANAT, the South American governing swim body.”

The release further indicated the contingent was given financial support by the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

GASA president Dwayne Scott stated that three members of the team – Jackson, Lewis, Degoeas – have voluntarily self-funded their trip, and Jackson will leave next week for Peru.

Jackson and Phillips are expected to arrive on Saturday.

Additionally, the Championships will also hold as solid preparation for the trio of Persaud, Seaton Jr, and Patrice Mahaica, who along with Paul Mahaica, will compete at the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, from November 25 to December 5.