IT’S 2015. It has been four years since the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) has held a national competition at any level. Previously the year began with the Novices for newbies, then on to Juniors, Intermediates and finally Seniors – four local competitions. Now the association says it barely has members.

“Our numbers have dwindled and we’re not able to find interested people and then when we do find, it’s only a small number and you can’t call a competition with five or six persons. It takes a lot to organise a competition,” said Deion Nurse, the general secretary of the association.
He said only the True Foundation Gym offers athletes for competition. They have three youngsters in training, two males and a female.
Sheria Melville and Darren Williams are both Under-17 athletes. They competed in Peru last year at the Under-17 Pan American Championships and junior lifter Erwin Cozier.
There’s an issue though. Melville and Williams are both sitting CXC Examination this year and therefore they have been ‘pulled’ from training by their parents.
It’s an age-old issue for most, if not all. Sport suffers during period of exams.
“However, we’re persevering. This year we’re hoping to attract new persons,” said Nurse.
GAWA has decided to loan to established gym, professional weightlifting sets. In return these gyms are expected to produce athletes for competitions.
Sets have been loaned to Bodymaxx Gym on Croal Street and a Fitness Group – B E Fitness, run by Tyson English.
GAWA in 2014 received two new training sets from the regional body. In the weeks ahead the International body is expected to present to GAWA – five new sets.
Secondly, the association will continue its exhibitions around the country, an initiative they have been doing for just about a decade.
From their two initiatives they’re hoping that sometime this year they’ll be able to host an Open competition for the ‘new blood’ they are expecting.
“Things are happening. We’re just hoping that we get the lift we need.”
Despite the fact that no national competitions have been held in the last four years GAWA has still set aside dates for the Novices -April 5, and a National Open Championship on August 29. Both set for the National Gymnasium.
Internationally, GAWA hopes to send athletes to Junior Pan American Championships in Colombia, the Pan Am Games in Canada in July and the International Weightlifting Federation’s World Championships in Houston, Texas in November.
A number of fund-raising events have also been planned.
The first event on GAWA’s calendar however is the Electoral Annual General Meeting on February 28 at Olympic House, High Street.
Closing date for nominations for office-holders is two weeks before the AGM.

(By Leeron Brumell)