The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH local sporting activities are on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation is still looking forward to preparing a 14-member team to compete in the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Fitness Championships.

The CACBFF’s wellness office announced that the CAC games have to relocate from Bridgetown, Barbados to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic due to the sporting administration’s change of the executive council and the negative financial impact on the Bajan’s economy with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The championships is now set for December 4-6th and will comprise of an event for all amateurs and one for the professionals where elite athletes from around the world will get a rare chance to compete on the same stage.

In preparation for the championships, Stubbs said the BBFF wrote to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on Tuesday, September 29, notifying them of our planned participation in this event and made request of financial assistance for Team Bahamas.

“As we receive updated information, it will be disseminated onward to both the ministry and the med,” Stubbs said. “This year we were unable to host any of our local events or fund raisers which would have assisted in our finances to support Team Bahamas.

“However, we are hopeful yet grateful of the Government’s commitment and assistance to us. This will indeed boost the morale of others and hopefully show the region that The Bahamas is still alive, energised and well.”

The BBFF, according to Stubbs, have identified a few competitors who have expressed an interest in competing in the national and subsequently the CAC Championships. He said they will assess the athletes and make a determination on who will be selected.

“It’s just a matter of giving them the time to finish up and try bring a stage ready package before us,” Stubbs revealed. “We will sit down in closed forum with no audience, no one but the athletes and the judges, practicing the social distancing from athletes to judges and we will review and assess the bodies that are presented before us.

“We will see who are CAC calibre ready because it’s a difference from someone who bring their body under subjection and pretty much in shape.”

The BBFF will hold the screening for the team on Saturday, November 14. Over the final three weeks, the BBFF will be grooming the 14-member team, or those that are compatible to represent The Bahamas at the championships, accompanied by at least three officials.

Stubbs said the pandemic has affected Barbados so that they were not able to host the championships as their Ministry of Sports was the primary sponsor and unfortunately, most of his other supporting sponsors have also detached their commitment due to their financial situation.

With the new setting for the championships, Stubbs said Bahamian athletes will get a chance to pursue a professional athlete’s card.

“Many athletes have toiled in the trenches just for this moment, including our local athletes here and I too join in the excitement of seeing this happen,” Stubbs said. “Mr Tony Pena, the Vice-President of the CACBFF office and President of the Dominican Bodybuilding Fitness Federation, has stepped up to the plate and announced their capability of hosting this event in the DR with short notice as he has done before.”

Stubb, who secured his pro card in 2008 when the amateur championships was staged in The Bahamas, said all of the amateur categories will be honored as it makes the opportunities greater for the Bahamian athletes.

During the championships, amateurs are expected to compete from December 4-5th and the Pros on the 6th. Elite Show for professionals will have five open categories, including the Women’s Physique, Men’s Physique, Women’s Wellness, Men’s Bodybuilding and Women’s Bikini. A sixth category to be added will be announced shortly.

Pro card winners from the CAC championships after they are crowned on the Saturday night will have the opportunity to compete with the pros on the Sunday, making their pro debut if they choose to do so.

“This opportunity will allow The Bahamas to be represented at these championships for which we have been regional champions over the years,” Stubbs said. “We hope to have a screening of our athletes who are still training and preparing.

“During the evaluation process, a small impactful team delegation will be chosen to ensure that The Bahamas is represented.”

According to Stubbs, they have been assured that the World Health Organization, CDC and IFBB health protocols and policies will be enforced and the CACBFF has agreed to follow all safety and travel guidelines during the weekend at the championship.