… GAPF commended for organisation of the event
TODAY will see the commencement of the 4th annual International Power Lifting Federation/North American Power Lifting Federation’s Caribbean Islands Bench Press and Power Lifting Championships which will be held over the next two days at the Princess Hotel, Providence, from 11:00 h each day.
Yesterday members of the officiating delegation held a press briefing, along with officials of the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPF), at the National stadium, Providence, at which they commended the GAPF on stepping in and taking up the torch in light of Trinidad and Tobago opting out of hosting this year’s event.
Robert Keller, who is the Secretary General of the North American Power Lifting Federation (NAPF) acknowledged that plans were coming along and furthermore he noted that the GAPF’s efforts were nothing short of commendable.
He went on to say that Guyana has always met its obligation as an affiliate federation of the IPF and they have done so yet again by stepping in as the impromptu host of the competition.
According to Keller five countries have confirmed their participation namely The United States of America (U.S.A), Puerto Rico, The Cayman Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands with the inclusion of the locals.
The team from Trinidad and Tobago, however, are facing difficulties in procuring the required funding to offset travel expenses but Keller says that he is still hopeful that they will make it in time to compete, while the British Virgin Islands have already reneged on their intentions to participate.
So far a total of 35 athletes are expected to compete tomorrow and the NAPF General Secretary sees this as progress being made where it is intended to be made as he noted that this is a very young championship which the IPF/NAPF is using as a causeway to developing international power lifting.
Keller made mention of the fact that Guyana wasn’t on the map when it came to power lifting but due to the efforts of the phenomenal athletes the world has come to the realisation that power lifting is very much present on local soil.
Light was also shed upon the code of ethics for the impending proceedings as Keller mentioned that testing will be done according to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) specifications which require that 10% of the athletes be tested for illegal substances.
The glitz and glamour of power lifting will be on display as there will be a number of records that will be threatened over the two days of competition including the World Sub-Junior Record which Vijay Rahim will attempt to overcome.
Five-time Olympian Fernando Baez will also be present at the competition as he will be serving in the capacity of Chief Referee; there will also be women competing in the event as well as Carlos Greene, a blind lifter, from Trinidad and Tobago.