President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation Peter Green made another appeal for financial help yesterday while highlighting the outstanding success of local powerlifters in the Caribbean and further afield.
Green, updating some reporters yesterday before the GAPF executive meeting, said that the association has only raised $1.1M to send Guyana’s team to the fifth NAPF/IPF Caribbean Powerlifting Championship in the Cayman Islands from March 23-27.
With this amount the federation can only accommodate four athletes, which means that four lifters will be left at home.
Up to press time those four athletes were ‘Big’ John Edwards (125kgs) of Kingsrow Gym, Dawn Barker (90kg) of Upper Demerara Gym, Colin ‘Mr. Clean’ Chesney (125kgs) of Total Fitness Gym and Karel Mars (110kgs) of Buddy’s Gym.
However, if the association secures Banks DIH sponsorship then two-time defending best lifter Randolph Morgan will also have a chance to defend his title, Stabroek Sport understands.
Kenneth Melville (110kgs) of Essequibo Gym and Anis Ade Thomas (82.5kgs) of Total Fitness Gym are the other strongmen who will be left at home.
“I have put my faith and credibility on the line when I say personally that Guyana will create Caribbean Powerlifting history by capturing all of the Best Lifter Overall Titles in the following categories: Men’s Open, Men’s Junior, Men’s Masters M1, and Women’s Open,” Green said as he noted the lifters’ chances.
Edwards is a two-time Men’s Open Caribbean champion and a two-time Men’s Masters M1 Open Caribbean champion. Apart from that, Edwards is a two-time North American Regional Men’s Open champion and North American Regional Men’s Masters M1 champion, as well as champion at the Pan American Open and Masters M1.
He is also the only Guyanese lifter to bench press over 500lbs.
Mars is the National Men’s Open champion and Caribbean Men’s Open silver medallist. Chesney is the National Men’s Open champion and only Guyanese to squat 800lbs while Barker is the National Women’s Open champion and the only female Guyanese to squat over 400lbs.
Meanwhile, the executive members found themselves in a delicate situation having to drop four athletes who they said have trained assiduously for the tournament. Peter Green said that this was a tough decision to make and noted that the local lifters have proven their class by bringing home medals and acclaim to Guyana.
Against this backdrop Green appealed for corporate and government support. He asserted that Guyana can create history with the talented lifters on the company’s roster.
Apart from that he reminded that Guyana are the defending champions and not being able to defend that title will be disheartening.
The association is hoping that the private sector comes forward to help the association realize its target of $1.8M that would ensure a team of six men and one woman to depart these shores for the Cayman Islands.
He also pointed out that the GAPF has received pledges from some persons and organisations while the government has waived the departure tax for the athletes.
The cost of sending one lifter to the prestigious event is US$1,500, which is inclusive of airfare and accommodation. The president also noted that the GAPF was mandated to communicate with authorities in the Cayman Islands by 17:00h yesterday to verify the number of athletes who will be representing Guyana.
“Our best efforts to garner sponsorship to send a team to defend the title have not received the desired response. As such, we’re appealing to government and the private sector for support. We’re trying our best to give Guyana something to cheer about,” Green noted at the Basic Beauty Salon on North Road, moments before the executive meeting.
