AT a simple ceremony on Friday, Pharmaceutical giant New GPC Inc. renewed its partnership with the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF), at its head office at Farm.
This timely renewal comes on the brink of preparations for the 14th Pan American and 7th Caribbean Powerlifting Championships scheduled for July 1-7 in Orlando Florida.

Since 2008, Super Heavyweight John ‘Big John’ Edwards (120kg weight class) has been competing in both the Open and Masters categories at the Caribbean, North American, Pan American and South American levels, with the phenomenal distinction of being undefeated.
His only defeat came at the 2011 World Masters where he captured the Bronze medal. Edwards, along with fellow gym-mate and current 74kg weight class World Masters and deadlift record-holder Winston Stoby, will be using the championships as a warm-up for this year’s World Masters Championships. Stoby also received sponsorship from New GPC Inc. last year.
In an invited comment, Marketing Associate for New GPC Inc., Livasti Bhooplall said, “We are extremely pleased and happy to play a role in the development of the Sport of Powerlifting which has performed outstandingly on the International Stage in such a short time.
“And we wish to encourage others to come on board and support this team to make participation a reality as they represent the nation with distinction on the world stage. We take this opportunity to wish them the best.”
President Green was loud in praise for the significant gesture which he said was timely as with just one week to go, the federation has only met the half-way mark of $2M.
Accommodation, drug-testing and participation fees have all been covered and now just meals remain.
Yesterday, another fundraising barbecue was held at Corriverton. According to the federation, they will be leaving no stones unturned and are hoping that the Honorary Minister of Sport will honour his promises made when the team returned home last year with the Caribbean Men’s team title, along with individual gold medals and records.
This time around, Team Guyana will be vying for the Pan American Men Team top honours on account of fielding a full-strength team as compared to previous years when depleted teams represented, due to lack of financial support.
Over 11 of the Region’s top teams from North, Central, the Caribbean and South America will be vying for top honours. Guyana simply should not be left at home. This magnificent opportunity, which sees them lift just once in each segment for the chance of simultaneously medalling in two International Championships, should not be wasted, as well as the opportunity to enter the 2013 World Rankings based on their totals.
With the American Embassy endorsing its confidence in the National team by approving all athletes’ visas; the federation also pleads to the local business community to support them tangibly as well.