Henry

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

A STRONG 28-member Jamaica badminton team will depart the island today for Junior Pan American Championships, which will be held in Guatemala City from July 15-20.

Jamaica finished eighth at last year's team event after losing in a tough first-round draw and being relegated to play for the last four places in the tournament, which was held in Mexico.

The team won eight medals - four gold and four bronze - and, according to Howard Ranger, coach of Jamaica's team, they are aiming to surpass that haul at this year's tournament.

Expecting more

"I am expecting us to win medals in all age groups because our aim is to win at least 15 medals in this tournament," said Ranger.

He said the team had been training for the past two months and that had helped them a lot in their build-up for this cham-pionship.

"The team is in very high spirits going into this competition because, based on the two warm-up tournaments, I know that they are all ready and rearing to go," Ranger said.

New levels

Sean Wilson, who won the triple crown in the Under-11 section last year, will now be competing in the Under-13 section.

Gareth Henry, who won the gold medal in the Under-17 boys' singles, has also moved up to compete in the Under-19 category.

Mikaylia Haldane, who was a double bronze medallist in the Under-15 girls' section, will now compete in the Under-17 section along with Shakeria Bailey.