OCEAN Spray/Wata yesterday ensured that Jamaica’s players will be well hydrated during next week’s Pan-American Junior Badminton Championships with a donation of $1 million.

The handing over took place at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, where members of Jamaica’s 73-strong team were busily preparing for the tournament, which runs from July 24 – 31 at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC).

Jamaica Badminton Association president, Vishu Tolan was pleased about Ocean Spray’s input. “We’re very excited because the rehydration needs for the team will be fully met,” he said.

Tolan was also pleased at the progress the national team has made despite short preparation time as a group.

“I’m very excited. Very pleased. The problem Jamaica has is having persons in camp for too short a time. We really only took camp about a month ago when school went on holiday, but remarkably… the coach has done a great job,” he said.

Meanwhile, national coach Howard Ranger said training had been so intense over the last few weeks that several players have had to be rested to allow their legs a break, adding that their progress has been good.

“From day one we knew what the team would be like so we were able to prepare them as a unit. We have had some younger ones come on board who have been able to fit in quite nicely. We have been doing a lot of ground-work as a team and in the different areas and based on that it’s been quite good,” Ranger said.

The technical officials are expected to meet tomorrow to examine draws and seedings for the championships.

Teams from 16 countries in Central, South, North America, and the Caribbean, started arriving in the island on Tuesday, with the majority of players expected to arrive today.

Some 400 players and another 200 officials will participate in the Pan-American Junior Championships. The opening ceremony will be held at Emancipation Park next Wednesday.

Chief Operating Officer for the Pan American Badminton Confederation Pilar Carillo told the Observer that the officials who have been travelling to the island for inspections since Jamaica was awarded the championships just under a year ago, were satisfied with the preparations so far.

“We are very comfortable and sure that we will run a very good tournament,” Carillo said.