The bodybuilding community has faced a severe blow at the beginning of the 2017 season, as two of the top local builders are out of the highly anticipated Arnold Amateur Classic.
President of the GABBFF Keavon Bess
Mr Guyana, Kerwin Clarke and Men’s Physique, Emmerson Campbell, who were both shortlisted for the trip in Columbus, Ohio, were deemed ineligible by the governing body to compete at the prestigious annual fixture, as according to President of the federation, Keavon Bess the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) has failed to pay its International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB) affiliation fees for the past 10 years.
Bess, who has been at the helm for the past four years, stated that when he contacted the relevant authority to register Clarke and Campbell, he was told that the federation would have to pay the debt incurred before the duo can compete.
Bess noted that he intends to seek a waiver during this year’s CAC Championship in Mexico.
“I intend to be present in Mexico this year to make a sound request for the sums to be waived as of 2016 and that we start fresh from 2017. All measures will be put in place to have that sum waived when we go to Mexico in September.
The GABBFF head added, “Our position of negotiation would be that we have not benefited directly from the IFBB since our athletes have never done an IFBB show, so now that we intend to compete at the IFBB level we would like to start paying from this year.”
Some notable IFBB contests include the IFBB Men’s World Bodybuilding Championships, the IFBB Men’s World Classic Bodybuilding Championships, the IFBB World Fitness Championships, the Mr Olympia and the Arnold Classic.
Bess, an Attorney-at-Law, then reiterated that, “Whoever is heading the federation after elections, should push for a clear waiver or a special concession.”
The GABBFF will be hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 18.
Bess will be seeking re-election at the meeting, which is scheduled for a 10:00h start at the GOA’s headquarters in Kingston.
Both bodybuilders have been exceptional, having a dream run in 2016 where Guyana recorded comfortably their best year in the history of their international outings.
