BY CAROLYN JOHNSON, Star Writer
DUBBED AS THE 'mother of all sports', proponents of bodybuilding believe the sport to be more than training for unnaturally bulging bodies.
Yesterday, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Barclay, president of the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, not only called for the re-establishment of the National Fitness Centre, but also for persons to have a more serious outlook on bodybuilding.
"Asafa Powell's groin injury could have been avoided if he was better conditioned. The Reggae Boyz would have made it to Germany if they were better conditioned. The Sunshine Girls could be number one if they were better conditioned.
'Bodybuilding, strength training or resistance training as we know it, whether it be cardiovascular, body com-position, muscle endurance, speed or strength, it's all encompassed in pumping irons, in the weights, under the guidance of a certified trainer," Barclay said.
The guest speaker further maintained that Jamaica's sports programme would never reach the international arena consistently until there were trainers certified, guided and trained by the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA).
Barclay was speaking at the launch of the 34th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston yesterday. The championships will be held from September 28 - October 1.
HOSTING DUTIES
This year, the JABBFA will for the fourth time, have the honour of hosting the 34th CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships. Jamaica is expecting participation from approximately 28 countries within Central America and the Caribbean. Although the JABBFA has big plans for the championships, they are yet to get all the sponsors they need on board.
In the meantime, athletes will vie for positions on the Jamaican CAC team at the National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, the last local championship for 2006. The event to be held on Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stephanie Hall Auditorium (Holy Childhood High School), will be the culmination of the Junior, Fitness and Senior Championships.
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