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Zimbabwe: Mr, Ms Iron Man Contest CancelledDate: 12.06.2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team United States
THE Mr and Ms Iron Man bodybuilding contest - which had been scheduled for this Saturday in Gweru - has been cancelled due to lack of sponsorship.
It is the second year running that the event has been called off.
Bodybuilding enthusiastic Melvin Vann Gopal was tasked with organising this year's competition but announced yesterday that efforts to bring the competition back on line have hit a brick wall.
A budget of $150 million had been drawn for the contest with the bulk of the money set to go towards prize money.
But all that has now gone off the radar.
"It is with regret that we are unable to host this year's Mr and Ms Iron Man due to lack of sponsorship
"On behalf of Midlands Bodybuilding Association, I would like to apologise to all the country's bodybuilders for not being able to stage the event," said Vann Gopal.
The event was twice postponed last year before it was called off but had been set to make a comeback in the Midlands province for the first time.
Pre-judging had been set for Gweru Theatre on Saturday morning while the competition was due to be held on the same evening.
Vann Gopal believes he did not get enough support from key stakeholders in his efforts to bring the contest back to life.
"Sadly, the mother body -- the Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association -- cannot contribute any money towards the hosting of the event.
"All our efforts towards raising sponsorship have proved fruitless.
"We have approached almost everyone we thought could help us but got nothing.
"Basically, I was going to shoulder at least half of the expenses to do with the ground work. We had secured the venue, the PA system, allowances for the judges and organised accommodation but needed the money for prizes.
"It was going to be unfair to invite athletes from as far as Botswana but give them little in prize money," he said.
Vann Gopal said he was at pains to explain to the athletes that the event was off.
"Munashe (Matandirotya) was going to arrive this week from Botswana while Upenyu (Big Life Mahlaulo) had already arrived in anticipation of the contest," he said.
The contest, Vann Gopal said, could still be saved if they manage to raise the money on time.
"Maybe something might crop up within the next week because we may reschedule the dates," he said.
But while the Mr Iron Man contest, which is one of the ZNBBWA premier shows, remains uncertain, Vann Gopal is positive that he will stage his Muscle and Fitness Classic.
"On a brighter note, I can confidently state that the third Annual Muscle and Fitness 2007 Open Classic will definitely go ahead later on in the year.
"We are working on the organisation so that it will be held after the Mr Zimbabwe and Muscle & Fitness Gym of Gweru and their regular sponsors are working towards hosting the event," he said.
Vann Gopal has hosted two editions of the Muscle and Fitness Classics and also included a Midlands Closed in March this year.
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