Bronze medalist at the 2011 Master’s Championships John ‘Big John’ Edwards was the recipient of sponsorship for his international duties next month after pharmaceutical giant New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Incorporation renewed its partnership with the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF).
According to a release from the GAPF, the 2012 National Sports Commission (NSC) Association-of-the-Year, Edwards was presented with a cheque which will cover his airfare, accommodation and meals for the NAPF North American/FE.SO.PO Pan American/ Caribbean Islands Powerlifting Championships in Orlando, Florida from July 1 to 7 during a simple ceremony at the company’s Head Office at Farm, East Bank Demerara on Friday.
Edwards, who has been competing in both the Open and Masters categories at the Caribbean, North American, Pan American and South American levels with phenomenal distinction, will be using these championships as a warm up for this year’s World Masters Championships along with Kingsrow Barbell gym mate and current 74kg World Masters Two deadlift record holder, Winston Stoby, who also received sponsorship from New GPC Inc., last year.
In an invited comment, Marketing Executive of New GPC Inc., Livasti Bhooplall, stated that her company was “pleased to play a role in the development of the sport of powerlifting which has performed outstandingly on the international stage”.
Bhooplall also encouraged other companies to come on board and support the team to make its participation a reality as they represent the nation with distinction on the world stage.
“We take this opportunity to wish them the best,” Bhooplall added.
GAPF’s head, Peter Green, praised the gesture by New GPC Inc., and also echoed the sentiments of Bhooplall in encouraging other corporate entities to come on board and support the lifters as the federation has only met the half way mark of $2M with accommodation, drug testing, participation fees and meals now left to cover.
Along with Edwards, the GAPF is aiming to send the likes of Gumendra Shewdass, Vijai Rahim, Stoby, Randolph Morgan, Karel Mars, Paul Adams, Kimberly Mars, Anis Ade Thomas, Suraj Shewdass, Nairanjan Singh, Colin Chesney and Fabian Ketwaroo to the three in one championships.
The release added that the federation will be leaving no stone unturned and is hoping that the Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, honours his promises made to the federation when the team returned home last year with the Caribbean men’s team title as well as individual gold medals and records.
Guyana has the added bonus of vying for the Pan American Men’s team honors on account of fielding a full strength team as compared to previous years when depleted teams represented Guyana due to lack of financial support.
In excess of 11 of the region’s top teams from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean will be vying for top honors.
With the American Embassy endorsing their confidence in the National team by the successful approval of their visas, the local business community is being pleaded with to support the lifters tangibly as well.
