THE Executive of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) met with the Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, on Wednesday to discuss issues affecting the association and events for the rest of the year.

According to a release from the Federation, among issues arising was the ban and serving of the suspension of Carlos Peterson-Griffith by the International Powerlifting Federation.

Time was served from December 2021 to the latter part of February 2022.

The GAPLF then outlined its upcoming local and international events.

Upcoming are the Masters/Intermediate Championships to be held on May 15 at St Stanislaus College; North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Championships scheduled for Panama City from August 15 to 21; Raw Classic Championships on October 15 and Senior Nationals on December 4.

Support was pledged for the overseas engagement which had a substantial budget to field a large contingent of athletes who were shortlisted to compete at the NAPF event.

Ninvalle, through the National Sports Commission, offered support in finding a home for the Federation’s equipment and gear and discussions were held about Guyana having been seen as a role model to other regional powerlifting bodies such as Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, and others from within the region.

Guyana boasts four Category 2 International Powerlifting (IPF) referees and will be sending two other individuals – Mark Seymour and Juanita White – to Panama to write their IPF examination.

GAPLF indicated its intention to invite overseas competitors for its senior nationals, in order to improve the level of competition.

Future developmental interest for the Federation is getting a programme incorporated into the school system, and the GAPLF will be reaching out to the Ministry of Education.

The GAPLF is adamant that they play a vital role in getting the youths to stay in good health, shape, and frame of mind so as to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Federation is working to decentralise powerlifting to all regions, reforming the constitution to have regional bodies and representatives.

Also in the pipeline is to have outreaches in areas such as Lethem, North-West, Essequibo and Bartica as competitions will soon be held in those regions.