SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

The Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA) will be hosting an important fundraising/pre-competition event today at Nishida's Gymnastics School, beginning at 6 p.m.

The JAGA hopes the event will raise sufficient funds for hotel and airfare expenses for five male gymnasts scheduled to compete in the Whitlow Invitational Gymnastic event in Orlando, Florida, next week.

The Jamaican aggregation includes experienced trio Jamin Levy, Nicholas Tai, and Danielle Williams, while Shacoy Bennett and Atario Brown are the others.

Gain eligibility

This Whitlow Invitational will be their first international tournament this year, and is critical for participants.

Having performed well, they could gain eligibility for the national squad ahead of annual trials in July, and earn a spot to train on the national team to the World Championship in October.

The World Championship is an important qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games, where only the top 24 qualifiers can qualify.

Jamin Levy and Toni-Ann Williams were nominated in the gymnastics category at last night's RJR Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.

JAGA president, Nicole Grant-Brown, is urging the public to throw financial and moral support behind gymnastics, which she contends is one of the Olympics' most widely watched sports.

"Our event will serve as a pre-competition and fundraiser to showcase what our gymnasts will do in Whitlow, Orlando," said Grant-Brown.

"Importantly, we need the public to come out and support us and help us raise at least $ 200,000 for our five participants," she outlined.

Team Jamaica is scheduled to leave the island next Thursday, along with national coach Shin Nishida, for the two-day event on January 23 and 24.

Following competition, the Jamaicans will engage in further training in the USA, to further sharpen their abilities.