The Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has a clear plan that looks four years into the future: it would entail Guyana being the hosts of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding championships.
GBBFF President Keavon Bess
That plan was detailed and presented to Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, who received body-building officials during a courtesy call at the subject Minister’s office on Main Street on Wednesday afternoon.
Representing the body-building fraternity were GBBFF President Keavon Bess and decorated body-builder Kerwin Clarke.
In disclosing the Federation’s brilliant intentions to the Assistant Director of Sport, Bess explained that the Federation had intended to host the 2021 CAC Championships, but could not make it to the bidding process in front of the general assembly in the Dominican Republic earlier this year, owing to financial issues. Nevertheless, the GBBFF remained positive, and was now looking to raise the requisite funds in order to send a three-member team to Colombia in 2020, to bid for the 2022 championships. That team will include Bess, along with current Tourism Director General and former GBBFF President Donald Sinclair and bodybuilding’s Chief Judge, Frank Tucker.
Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, GBBFF President Keavon Bess, and bodybuilder Kerwin Clarke
To this end, Bess told media operatives on Wednesday that he was 98 per cent sure that when Guyana presented their bid, it would be accepted by the general assembly. When asked why he was so certain, Bess had this to say:
“Because in 2004, we did such a good job at hosting, I believe, that our reputation speaks for itself and for the past 15 years we’ve been sending athletes to CAC and they’ve been returning with hardware. So we’re a stakeholder at CAC and there’s no reason for us not to be granted permission to host in 2022.”
The GBBFF boss was then probed about the issues that may pose a challenge to the Federation if it was to host the event, which may attract athletes from some 35 countries. Like many other sport disciplines, the elephant in the room was money.
“Finances. Because I think the infrastructure is there, starting at accommodation, host venue, weighing venue, we have all of that covered. At this point, it’s only to have the logistics covered and that would call for finances,” Bess explained.
On the other hand, the Assistant Director of Sport assured the Federation, and by extension Guyana’s other sporting associations, that once their proposals and books were in order, they would have no trouble receiving the necessary funds from Government.
“The commitment has already been made at the highest office that investment will grow and continue as we progress. So, I have every expectation and confidence that this competition be supported. And other Federations who have their ducks in a row and their books in order, who seek support will get it,” Dow-Richardson stated.
Acclaimed bodybuilder Clarke told media operatives that it would be a dream come true if he can compete at the CAC level right here at home.
“It would be a great accomplishment for me and for Guyana if we’re successful. In my humble opinion, I would set aside myself with outstanding performances to come out on top,” the bodybuilder shared.
