GAPF & MCY&S promises a competition second to none, six countries expected

Mar 09, 2010 Sports

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By Franklin Wilson

All systems are in place for what is being touted to be the best ever Annual International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) Caribbean Islands Bench Press & Powerlifting Championships set for the Princess Hotel March 18-20.
At a joint Press Conference hosted yesterday by the host, Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) and the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport at the Ministry’s Board Room, GAPF President Peter Green and Minister Dr. Frank Anthony were unanimous in declaring that all systems are in place for this the 4th edition, which will be the best ever.
The entities also took the opportunity to officially announce Guyana’s 15-member squad which will be led by 2009 Caribbean Overall Best lifter Randolph Morgan who will be campaigning in the 82.5kg category and includes, current Masters M1 record holder and defending champion ‘Big’ John Edwards (125kg) and Regional Open Champion Mervin ‘Spongy’ Moses who will compete in the 75kg class.
The other members of the team are Richard Mark Seymour (110kg) who is the National Open champion, Winston Stoby (75kg) National M1 Masters champion, Bhojkumar Jagnarine (82.5kg) 2008 Masters champion, Farouk Abdool (110kg) 2008 National champion, Errol ‘Big Man’ Henry (90kg) National Masters M2 champion, Wazeem Immamdeen (60kg) National Junior/Open champion, Anis Ade Thomas (82.5kg) National Junior/Open champion, Tariq Immamdeen (60kg) 2009 National Sub-Junior champion, Vijai Rahim 956kg) 2009 National Sub-Junior/Junior/Open champion, Kelvin Lewis (67.5kg) 2009 National open champion, Edwin Gordon Spencer (90kg) National Masters M2 lifter, Karel Mars (100kg) 2009 National open champion and Ryan ‘Juice Williams (82.5kg) 2009 National runner-up.
Head Coach of the team is Wendell ‘Big Mac’ McPherson while Egbert Jackson is the Assistant Coach.
The countries participating are the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Islands and the United States of America along with the host. Both male and female athletes will be competing.
Athletes will begin arriving on Wednesday March 17. The meeting sessions will be held at the Conference Room of the Providence National Stadium. The International Drug testing facility at the Stadium will also be utilised during the championships compliments of the MCY&S.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr. Anthony noted his pleasure with the progress that has been made to date. The Minister complimented the GAPF for the hard work they have put in a few short years in brining the sport to such a high level where Guyana’s athletes led by ‘Big’ John Edwards are well placed in the world rankings.
“The partnership between our Ministry and the GAPF has resulted in the sport attaining a high level of prominence over the last year or two which is quite commendable. After this resurgence to have the International championships coming here, I think is an even more remarkable feat. I have every confidence that we will be able to bring it off successfully.”
The GAPF would have been assisted in major way with new equipment by the MCY&S and recently, Dr. Anthony noted that they have granted the Federation duty free concessions to bring in addition weights which have already arrived in Guyana ahead of the Caribbean Championships.
Commenting on the exposure of local athletes at this high level, Dr. Anthony said it is a wonderful opportunity for them to compete.
“From the records that I’ve seen and from what I’ve been told, I think the Guyana team is quite strong to begin with and I am very confident we will be getting lots of gold medals from this team. I am very satisfied with the measures that have been put in place in terms of the organising and we in the Ministry have been working very closely with the GAPF. I would like to join Mr. Green in saying that we will like to see the public support this event, support your local team because this is very important.
With that public support it would encourage our young and seasoned athletes to excel even more.”
The media was also encouraged to do their bit in ensuring the success of the championship.
Peter Green said the GAPF has been working on bringing off a top class event for the past 7 months. He disclosed that Trinidad and Tobago were initially identified to host but because of the high costs associated with same, Guyana was asked to fill the breach and they readily accepted.
Green informed that it was also with the insistence of Dr. Anthony that they stepped up to the plate and is promising that this 4th Edition will be the best ever.
Guyana he said, has proven that she is capable of competing at the highest level in the sport and this will be the first time that a full team will be competing and their aim is not only to excel with individual glory but Team Guyana is going after the team championship.
“We have a full strength team of 15 lifters which will enable us this time to satisfy the demand of the public to take the team championship. For the past two years we only had three lifters.”
The team Green said comprises a mixture of youth and experience and he is urging members of the public to support the team by turning out at Princes Hotel.
The Masters, Green said, are relishing the chance to take on the rest of the world since the high cost of travelling would have prohibited their participation outside of Guyana.
Over 65 athletes will be battling for the title of the strongest man and woman. Admission fee is $1,000 for both days.

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