Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

JAMAICA'S REGGAE Girlz will kick off their historic participation in the Pan American Games when they face Ecuador at the Miecimo da Silva Stadium, Brazil, in a noon encounter (Ja time) today.

Like their male counterparts, the team has been hampered in its preparations for the Games as the full squad was available for training only a week before the competition.

The team, currently ranked 76 in the world, should find today's Group A game against 51st-ranked Ecuador a stern challenge.

"The preparation's haven't been what we have wanted. We have had players in and out but we will have to be optimistic," said coach Charles Edwards, who will be taking part in his first game at the helm of the team.

"As a new coach with the team, this will serve as a kind of feeler for me in terms of where we are internationally. Our main purpose here will be to try and qualify for Beijing (Olympics 2008),but we will still have another chance," Edwards said.

"To be honest, all these teams are ranked above us. It's looking great in that respect so it would be great to come back with some results over these teams," he said.

Edwards took over as head coach of the national women's team following the controversial resignation of Vin Blaine in April.

The Jamaicans are in a tough zone as, in addition to Ecuador, they also have to contend with Brazil (ranked eighth), Uruguay (59th) and Canada (ninth).

In Group B are Argentina, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and the world's top-ranked team, the United States.