The Freeport News
Date: 24-01-2012
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamBahamas |
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President of The Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Danny Sumner is calling it history in the making for Grand Bahama.
Sumner, who was in Grand Bahama recently, came bearing "good news" for Grand Bahama bodybuilding.
During a press conference at the Bell Channel Inn, Sumner announced that for the first time in 40 years of bodybuilding in The Bahamas,
the National Bodybuilding Championships will be held in Grand Bahama.
This move, according to Sumner, is based on the fact that Grand Bahama has had a tremendous impact on the overall development of the sport of bodybuilding, fitness and figure in the country over the past few years.
"As a result, that impact sowed a lot in 2011 when Grand Bahama won most of the most prestigious awards that were given out by the Bahamas Bodybuilding Federation," noted Sumner.
"Right now Freeport is the pillar of hope for bodybuilding's future."
Sumner noted that a verbal agreement to host the Nationals here in Grand Bahama has been made between the GB Association and the Federation, with a contractual agreement expected to come within a few days.
Sumner noted that hosting the National Bodybuilding championships in Grand Bahama will be beneficial for the island in terms of helping to boost the local economy.
"This is going to be the biggest show bodybuilding fans will ever see," said an excited president, Rob Harris.
"We will have new competitors, live acts, a larger audience and a wider variety of athletes at this show. I guarantee, this will be one of the best shows you've ever attended either in the States or within the Caribbean."
Both Harris and Sumner agrees that this year will prove to be one of the best years in the sport of bodybuilding in this country.
Sumner feels that Grand Bahama deserves this boost, having been enduring and improving in the sport over the years.
Sumner admitted that past president, Maurice Hall had requested last year that the Nationals be held in Grand Bahama.
Sumner says that this year it's going to become a reality.
The National Championships will be incorporated with the Grand Bahama championships.
The Nationals are expected to take place July 21, although the venue has not yet been decided upon.
"I have put in place a Grand Bahama National executive team to spearhead the hosting of these championships," said Sumner.
"The supervision of the Nationals will be coming directly from Grand Bahama, and I will not dictate to them how they go about putting the show together.
"The Federation is giving the local association total involvement and say in how these Nationals will be done."
Sumner noted that this move has been done in confidence in the executive team and the local association.
"I trust that the Grand Bahama community will support this team to make sure that this show comes together, because it will mean a lot to the association to make this show successful," said Sumner.
"Grand Bahama has had a long history of producing top notch bodybuilders and now the local association is making history in the sport by being able to host the national championships."
Another big project which the Federation is seeking to implement, particularly in Grand Bahama is the high school program, which would introduce the sport of weightlifting within the local high schools.
Sumner said that he has already advised the Association to look into the high schools in Grand Bahama to see if they can get the interest of fitness and strength training into the high schools.
"I believe that this will be a good thing that can be long-term for kids in our high schools, because it's along the line of helping students become and stay physically fit," said Sumner.
"This can also lead to a healthy lifestyle."
The Grand Bahama Bodybuilding Federation is being run by a new executive board, led by last year's Mr. Bahamas winner, Rob Harris. Other board members include figure winner, Dominique Wilkinson (Executive Secretary); Chrishanda Newbold (vice-president); Orick Nesbit (Treasurer) and Glen Stubbs (Fund Raising Chairman).
