The National Sports Commission (NSC) has agreed to do some heavy lifting for the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) ahead of the 17th FESUPO/NAPF Pan American Powerlifting Championships next month in Uruguay. During a simple but significant ceremony yesterday at the commission’s head office, Director of Sport Christopher Jones presented a significant financial contribution to the tune of $3.6 million to GAPF Treasurer Colin Austin.
The sum, which is half the amount the 13-member outfit needs, will be used to help offset expenses during the September 17th to 22nd event in Piriapolis, Uruguay.
Jones highlighted that local powerlifters have traditionally done the nation proud on the international stage and said that the government is happy to play a role in their imminent success.
Guyana medalled at the championships in 2015 in São Paulo, Brazil and 2017 in Miami, Florida.
President of the federation, Ed Caesar, thanked Jones for the sponsorship and reiterated that whenever local powerlifters leave these shores, they do not just leave for ‘experience’ but for hardware.
“No athlete is ever allowed to compete overseas without reaching a certain standard,” said Caesar, who emphasised that he expects a huge medal haul from the contingent. Caesar also reminded that the Raw Championships will be staged on Sunday at the St Stanislaus College.
The traveling outfit is as follows:
Athletes – Franklyn Brisport, Noel Cummings, Lisa Oudit , Natoya Robinson, Nairanjan Singh, Nadina Taharally, Frank Tucker, Runita White and Bjorn Williams.
Officials – Colin Andrews, Erwyn Smith, Gordon Spencer, Nadina Taharally and Runita White (two of the officials are also athletes). The Team Physiotherapist is Kathleen Paul.
The entire team will depart on September 15th and return on September 23rd and 24th. (Emmerson Campbell)
