The Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) will hold its Annual General Meeting today with the main activity on the agenda being the elections for office bearers for the next two-year term.
All eyes will be on the election of a president as the incumbent President, Attorney at Law Keavon Bess will be challenged for the post by businessman, athlete and
Guyana’s most successful CAC team paid a visit to Director of Sport Christopher Jones (centre). From left; Franklin Brisport, CAC silver medallist Emmerson Campbell, Keavon Bess, gold medallist Kerwin Clarke, bronze medal winner, Devon Davis and Alisha Fortune
trainer, Coel Marks.
The GABBFF is ran on a democratic basis whereby members of the Federation come out a vote in the administrative body
Guyana Times Sport caught up with both contenders who outlined their plans if elected into office as well as to why they should be elected.
Bess related that it is good to have someone running against him for the post as he ran unopposed at the last election, noting that it is all good for the sake of the development of sport in Guyana.
Who are the candidates?
Bess has been the President of the GABBFF for two terms, having assumed office back in 2012 and was re-elected in 2015 for a second term. The Attorney at Law boosts the luxury of being in charge at a time when Guyanese athletes excelled at the regional level and became a force to reckon with, claiming the best performances in the Darcy Beckles Classic and the Caribbean and Central America Championships in 2016.
Marks, is an active bodybuilder since 2014 where he entered the Novice Competition for the first time and copped second place and then transitioned to the Men’s physique in 2015 where placed third. In 2016 he represented Guyana at the Darcy Beckles Classic in Barbados.
Funding
Funding for overseas participation has always posed a problem for the GABBFF and it is expected that the two candidates would have a sound plan to facilitate the improvement on this issue when the time comes for their administration to potentially take office.
The businessman related that he “has observed that the Federation does not currently engage in any fundraising activity, it just survives in the auspices of a few business entities only when competition comes.” Thus, he believes that his slate is a vibrant group and has some positive ideas to garner funds.
Meanwhile, Bess pointed out that the “funding remains an issue but with Government’s intention to subsidize some of our expenses and with the growing contributions of Corporate Guyana, eventually the GABBFF can attain financial independence.”
The incumbent president refuted claims that there are no fund raising activates highlighting in March 2016 there was an event which helped to fund the Novice Competition.
Moving the Sport forward
Marks indicated that under his governance, “building better relationships with the business community then translating those benefits directly to the athletes” is a priority as he is of the point of view that “athletes need to feel incentivized more, granted there are stipulations as to how much an amateur athlete can get, our focus is on elevating the level of athletes through providing more support and information. We plan on keeping contact with all the gyms and encourage them to identify athletes regularly with potential. We will do our part and support and nurture our talents when identified.”
Bess on the other hand said “Some of our plans need adjusting but nothing is broken and with the complete contribution of the members of the Federation we can attain heights that have never been seen before.”
The lawyer added that it is his intention to “make the Federation financially viable and the athletes internationally competitive.”
Teamwork
The current president, speaking on this issue accepted that he is willing to work with any team elected as the “team is depended on the votes but the past Executive has done a wonderful job for the development of Bodybuilding in Guyana.”
Bess highlighted that the track record of the present administration is undisputable, probably the most successful team but not taking anything away from the strides by the past executives lead by the likes of Donald Sinclair and Frank Tucker, to name a few.
While running under the team headed by Marks, his deputy is expected to be Seon Satrohan who is also a fellow businessman while aiming to fill the position of Treasurer is Economist Roger Rogers and running for the General Secretary post will be ABE lecturer Lisa Ahmad.
Marks said he “believes with the amalgamation of skills, we will be formidable. Our team is committed to building and enhancing upon the foundation created by the incumbent president created to achieve the betterment of the sport for all stakeholders.”
Current State of bodybuilding
According to the man who aims to take up the mantle from Bess, Marks believes that there have been great strides made under the Bess-led administration, but “it has plateaued” and therefore it is in need of “a fresher approach” which would be beneficial to everyone involved.
Bess highlighted that what the group has been able to achieve so far has never been achieved before, the medal returns are incredible as he says “Bodybuilding has come a far way over the past five years, from the solid structuring of the Federation as a registered legal entity to the certification of IFBB International Judges and the attainment of 12 CAC medals and two Darcy Beckles medals, the most by any other president in a period of only five years.” Under his administration, Bess believes the Federation has regained the glory and shine of bodybuilding in the country.
The current administration is Keavon Bess as President, Hugh Ross as Vice-President, Stacy McKinnon as General Secretary, Videsh Sookram as Organising Secretary and Moressa Oscar as Treasurer. The Meeting is expected to begin at 10:00h at the Guyana Olympic House, High Street, Kingston.
