The leading insurance company has redoubled its support for the game by headlining the prestigious tournament which will bring the region’s best young players to Jamaica. More than 120 athletes are scheduled to contest the Championships, representing Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, The Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

The youngsters will first compete for highly prized individual age-group titles and then move on to the ultra-competitive team events. Explosive action is anticipated as perennial regional kingpins Guyana will be seeking revenge after being toppled last year by rising stars Barbados. However, retaking the title will be no easy task as Barbados are in blistering form, having won the Pan American Junior Squash Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, late last month.

While some eyes will be on the top two teams, the Jamaicans are looking to steal the spotlight. Playing with home court advantage, the team has a good mix of young blood and experienced competitors who are eager to make a name for themselves in the regional arena.

All Jamaica Champion and second seed Jonathan Walker is a strong contender for the boys’ Under-19 title, and a final between himself and the favourite, Barbadian Josiah Griffith, could be the match of the tournament. Other players in title contention are recently crowned All Jamaica champions Mia Mahfood, Under-17/19 girls; Aman Dhiman, Under-13 boys; Savanah Thomson, Under-13 girls; and Mehar Trehan, Under-11 girls, all of whom will be aiming to win their respective age groups.

While the Jamaicans are determined to make their mark, stellar performances are expected from regional super girl Meagan Best of Barbados, who currently holds the Under-17 girls’ Caribbean title as well as the Caribbean women’s title; and her teammate Khamal Cumberbatch, who is ranked number one in the boys’ Under-17 category. Another player to watch is Shomari Wiltshire of Guyana, the reigning Under-15 Caribbean boys’ champion, who is favoured to retain his title.

JNGI General Manager Chris Hind said, “JNGI is one of the biggest supporters of Jamaican squash, and what better way to bolster the game than sponsor the regional championship right here in Jamaica, where our players will have massive support as they go up against the Caribbean’s best.

“We have helped to send Jamaican teams to several major championships overseas in the past and now it’s a special pleasure to sponsor a major tournament right here at home,” he added.

Tournament Chairman Gill Binnie said, “We are particularly excited to be hosting the premier Caribbean junior tournament in Jamaica because, not only will our players have the home court advantage, but also local spectators will get to enjoy top-quality, competitive junior squash.”

The 2018 Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Junior Championships will be held at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. The individual age-group competitions will run from Sunday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 10, and then the team competition will run from Thursday, July 12 to Saturday, July 14.

IMAGE: Members of the Junior National Squash Squad who will be representing Jamaica at the 2018 Caribbean Area Squash Association’s Junior Championships were in a jovial mood as they accepted a sponsorship cheque from Chris Hind (centre), general manager of JN General Insurance, at the tournament launch which was held yesterday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. Among the youngsters representing Jamaica will be (from left) Karan Dhiman, Adam Ardito and Jonathan Walker — Under-19; as well as Mia Mahfood, Mia Lake and Mira Handa — Under-17/19.