This year again president of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Fiona Harris is lamenting the lack of corporate support for its National Novices and Intermediate championship scheduled for Sunday at the National Cultural Centre.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport yesterday, Harris said that the association has received no sponsorship apart from what was received from Window-Shop and Repair Centre of 52 Fifth Street Alberttown. The establishment is owned by body building judge Terrence Joseph, who decided to donate cash for the purchase of trophies.
Commenting on the lack of sponsorship in an email Harris noted, “…the response is poor. While we have tendered our 2011 competition calendar and budget since January, favourable responses so far has not been forthcoming.
Our plan is to viciously pursue the small business this coming week since corporate Guyana and the Sport Ministry have not responded”.
That apart, Harris said that the association will not be postponing the event since it may mess up other plans for the year. She is confident that the show will go ahead since athletes have shown the interest.
She indicated that 25 bodybuilders, inclusive of two females, have already registered for Sunday’s event; entries closed yesterday. One notable group that has registered for the competition is the Dance Fanatics.
The fiver-person team will be competing in the men and women’s fitness competitions. The Dance Fanatics, which include popular dancer, ‘Granny Ivelaw’, and the Passa Passa crew, have decided to take a shot at the fitness titles and this according to Harris will help to raise the bar in these categories.
There are also the Under-21 and Masters’ categories that are expected to produce fierce rivalry. Missing from the competition though will be former president Donald Sinclair, who was recently injured.
The categories to be contested this year are: Mr. Physique Under- 143 lbs/ 65kg (Bantamweight); Mr. Physique 144 – 154lbs/ 70kg (Lightweight); Mr. Physique 155 – 165lbs/ 75kg (Welterweight); Mr. Physique 166 – 176lbs/ 80kg (Light Middleweight); Mr.
Physique Over- 176 lbs/ 80kg ( Heavyweights); Mr. Guyana Junior ( Under- 21 years old); Men’s Masters ( Over- 40); Ms. Guyana Figure ( Body Fitness); Ms. Guyana Fitness and Men’s Fitness.
