The Tribune

THE Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation was forced to cancel all plans for travel and withdrew from the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

The 17-member team intended to travel to Barbados this weekend for the top competition in the region, but cited a lack of funding in the appropriate timeframe to successfully book all aspects of travel logistics.

BBFF president Joel Stubbs said the organisation needed $36,000 to travel but came up short in their fund-raising bid.

The BBFF received $20,000 from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture but the funds were not cleared until noon yesterday.

“We are grateful and thankful to the government for the monies received that were needed for travel but we did not receive the requested or the required amount. We pursued every avenue to purchase tickets, and it is unfortunate because Cropover is happening in Barbados this weekend and that is a big event in that country,” Stubbs said.

“Right now the team is deflated but nonetheless we will shift our focus to one or two shows that will happen in the region in Caracas, Venezuela and Miami, Florida. We encourage corporate Bahamas to try to open a dialogue with us and try to form partnerships. I want to thank all the athletes who have made the sacrifice and let them know that the federation will be behind them to back them and give them the platform needed to achieve their fitness goals.”

The 49th International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships began yesterday and will conclude Monday in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The BBFF has a rich tradition of successful performances at the CAC Championships.

In 2021, struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas still managed to field an eight-member team to El Salvador, for the CACs.

The team won a total of nine medals - two gold, three silver and three bronze.

Said Kaif Young, Men’s Physique – Class F competitor: “Other countries invest in bodybuilding year round because they provide support and bring income into the country. As an athlete, I’ve been dieting and working for months so it’s disheartening. We really wanted to go to the CACs, rep the country and possibly even bring back the pro card.”

Fania Joseph, Women’s Bikini – Class B competitor added: “After prepping for months I felt very depressed knowing that we won’t be able to compete against our peers in the region. I hope that going forward we can provide the sport of bodybuilding the funding that it needs to go out and represent the Bahamas, because that is what we are doing.”