Susan Gordon, a marketing officer with Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, has encouraging words for members of Jamaica's wheelchair basketball team in a farewell function held at the Courtleigh Hotel on Friday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
With their eyes firmly fixed on a spot at the 2010 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Birmingham, England, Jamaica will bow into action today in the pre-qualifying America's Cup Wheelchair Basketball competition with a game against Brazil in Vancouver, Canada.
The team, which is currently ranked number two in the Caribbean and Central American region and is being coached by national basketball coach, Elfraito Remike, qualified for the play-off after defeating El Salvador, in El Salvador, in the previous qualifier. If they are to make it to the World Championship they must finish in the top three of the eight-team competition.
Strong competitor
Jamaica have been drawn in Pool B of the competition alongside regional favourites the USA, who they will play tomorrow, and Venezuela, who they will contest on Wednesday. The bronze medal and gold medal games will be contested next Sunday. Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia round off Pool A.
"Our track and field athletes in Beijing and Berlin proved that we are as good as any and better than many, and so can you," said first vice-president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Don Anderson, at Friday night's send-off ceremony for the team, which was hosted by the Jamaica Paralympic Association at the Courtleigh Hotel.
The ceremony, which was used to officially unveil the team to the media and public, saw members of the 15-member delegation attending with a number of dignitaries, including Shaw-Wood, acting Canadian high commissioner to Jamaica; Ali McNab, special adviser to the Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Olivia Grange; Major General Robert Neish, chairman of the Jamaica Paralympic Association, and David Mais, chairman of the Sports Develop-ment Foundation.
Shaw-Wood in his comments said that while his heart was with the Canadian team, he wished Jamaica the very best, while McNab expressed that the Government valued their contribution to national development.
"I wish you a well-earned second place," said Shaw-Wood before McNab's comments. "We value your contribution to national development and it is the main reason for our $1-million contribution to your association," said McNab.
Jamaican squad: Captain Bryan Ingram, Tanto and Toto Campbell, Kevon Reid, Dennis Cunningham, Alphanso Cunningham, Kirt Walcott, Joel Brown, Jenard Williamson, Sheldon Cox and Wayne Whyte. Officials: Pamela Chin (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation referee), Keith Henry (equipment manager), Ajay Kapu (physiotherapist).