The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The New Providence Fitness Association (NPFA) is all set to host the Novice Championships on June 16 in the Rain Forest Theatre of the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino .

Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation has decided not to stage the show anymore.

And this year's event is expected to pay tribute to five veteran female bodybuilders and fitness competitors who have all won national titles and gone on to represent the Bahamas and won medals at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships.

NPFA president Steven Robinson said they are only making sure that they do their part to keep the sport alive in New Providence.

"Originally, the Novice (Championships) should have taken place since May but after the (Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness) federation decided that they were not going to do it anymore, we had already decided to do a show this year where we would have honoured the five female bodybuilders and fitness competitors," Robinson said.

"When we found out that the federation was just going to take the Nationals to Grand Bahama, we didn't want to neglect those competitors who were just training for the Novice and may not have participated in the Nationals."

Robinson said they decided to include the show and honour the athletes at the same time.

Among the list of honourees are Della Thomas, the former Miss Bahamas who won titles in the lightweight to heavyweight division on the local and international scene.

She will be joined by other outstanding female competitors such as Maxine Darville - a multiple national and international heavyweight champion - and Michelle Green, who competed in the lightweight division where she won national and international titles.

Also being honoured on the women's side is Jena Mackey, the first and only Bahamian professional female bodybuilder who received her pro card in Hamilton, Bermuda, in 2007.

In addition, the NPFA will honour Natasha Brown, who was the second out of five Bahamians to obtain a professional card - a feat she achieved in the women's fitness division in Venezuela in 2002.

The night will feature the bodybuilding and fitness competition for novice and seasoned competitors. There will also be the Open Bikini division for women and the men's Physique division.

Competitors will get the opportunity to compete in the figure, heavyweight and lightweight divisions for women and heavyweight, light middleweight, middleweight and lightweight for the men.

"We are expecting about 10 new athletes in the novice show and we expect our seasoned bodybuilders to compete," Robinson said. "It promises to be a very exciting show."

All persons interested in entering any of the divisions can contact Robinson at robinsongodfrey@yahoo.com or 424-9562.

Tickets will be available at Better Bodies Fitness, BodyZone Fitness, Club One, Iron Man Fitness, FantaZ Fitness, Mystical Fitness and from Charles Johnson GFIT Boot Camp and Ultimate Fitness.