“Our ability to host major events is going to get better” – Bess

For the first time in two decades, Guyana opened its doors to the 51st edition of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

It was a busy weekend at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue as fitness enthusiasts and in excess of 250 athletes from 20 countries flexed their muscles on Guyana’s big stage.
In the aftermath of the event, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) President Keavon Bess deemed the mammoth undertaking a success.
“I would say it was successful, very successful. In terms of, first and foremost, getting the support of the Government and corporate sector and then, having the countries come to Guyana, despite them having to pay ticket costs at a premium, getting a lot of athletes to come to Guyana and getting our athletes to go on stage. So, successful,” the GBBFF boss shared.
From a personal perspective, Bess was quite proud of his athletes’ performances, as they accumulated some 27 medals and the overall title.
He said, “I expected, first, to get the overall in the Men’s Physique and the Men’s Bodybuilding. It was close, it was tight, but we’re still grateful that we’re always in contention. We got several gold medals. Emmerson, Julio Sinclair, young Bailey and other athletes got gold and if they didn’t get gold, they were very close and came in second, snaring medals. So, overall, I’m proud of my team.”
Quizzed about Guyana’s future in hosting events, Bess expressed confidence in Guyana’s ability to host more major events, even if he is no longer at the helm of the Federation.
“In or out, any time we want to make an argument or put up a bid or proposal to host CAC, let’s say in the next five years because we have about 12 hotels under construction – world-class hotels. So, our ability to host major events is going to continue to get better, and I have no doubt that, let’s say, we decide to host in the next five years, that we’re gonna have a plethora of hotels available,” the GBBFF President responded.
He went on to divulge, “We had some hotel constraints because of what is happening with the boost of our economy, as a result of oil and gas. So, a lot of hotels are taken up, booked out, but I believe in the next five years that will not be an issue and I believe more of our instructors will be intact and our tourism product is gonna be so unique that we’re going to be an easy magnet to bring persons to Guyana.”
Guyana took home 11 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals, and Emmerson Campbell was the only athlete to achieve a Pro Card at this year’s CAC Championships.