Despite numerous fund raising ventures by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF), in excess of $4M is still needed for air fare and accommodation for the 16-member powerlifting team scheduled to compete in Orlando, Florida from July 1 to 7.
As a result, the federation is appealing for corporate support to assist the team of two officials and 14 powerlifters who are preparing for the NAPF North American/FE.SO.PO Pan American/ Caribbean Islands Powerlifting Championships.
The added fact that the three in one championships will be offering three prestigious titles for the lifters from a single lift makes the championships a must participate event.
According to a release by the GAPF, all of the lifters have successfully acquired their United States visas and are seeking sponsorship as the federation (despite hosting some fund raising events) is still substantially short with just over four weeks remaining to ensure that they send what is their biggest team ever to challenge the best in the Americas.
The Guyana Men’s Team is the defending Caribbean Open Champions with the added bonus of adding the Pan American title to their resume.
Substantial assistance last year from the Government of Guyana through a successful plea to President Donald Ramotar was instrumental in the success of the Guyanese lifters capturing the 2012 Caribbean Men’s Team title as well as record haul of gold medals.
The release further stated that the national powerlifting team spearheaded by six elite lifters have intensified the training schedule with the respective coaches of gyms Egbert Jackson (Total Fitness Corriverton), Farouk Abdool (Hardcore Gym) Rosignol, Mervyn Moses (Buddies Gym) Georgetown amongst others putting their charges through their programmes to ensure that Guyana powers its way to Caribbean as well as Pan American glory come
The individual cost per lifter is $USD 1,600.
Along with the six elite lifters (Dawn Barker, Gumendra Shewdass, Vijai Rahim, Winston Stoby, Randolph Morgan and John Edwards), the team will be made up of Karel Mars, Paul Adams, Kimberly Mars, Anis Ade Thomas,Suraj Shewdass, Nairanjan Singh ,Colin Chesney and Fabian Ketwaroo.
Rahim, the Shewdass brothers, Ade Thomas and Ketwaroo all hail from Berbice.
The officials scheduled to travel with the team are Edwin Spencer (GAPF Vice President and IPF Category Two referee) and Denroy Livan (NAPF Championship Scorer and Organizing Secretary of the GAPF).
Edwards who is also a Category Two referee will officiate and act in the capacity as Head Coach.
The GAPF’s president, Peter Green has reiterated his confidence in the National Junior / Senior teams keeping the Golden Arrow head fluttering proudly internationally. Green is also appealing to the corporate/private sector of the Ancient County to invest collectively or individually in sponsoring these home grown athletes from their home county as they do their region and country proud.
Of special note, Green has identified Rahim Under-23 (Rosignol) and Gumendra Shewdas Under-18 (Corriverton) as Guyana’s latest world rated lifters to watch.
The pair of Berbician strongmen will be given the added bonus of attending the World Juniors/Sub Juniors Championships in Killeen Texas the following month should they win their weight categories at the Caribbean and Pan American Levels.
Members of the national team are expected to be on display at the upcoming Masters and Intermediate Championships slated for June 2 at the University of Guyana Campus. Chesney and Barker have been asked to guest lift to ensure squat techniques and fitness levels have been optimized.