Former vice- president of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuild-ing and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Frank Tucker and Fiona Harris were yesterday unanimously elected president and treasurer of that organization when it held its annual general meeting (AGM) at Olympic House, Church and Peter Rose Streets.
Tucker, who also heads the Southern Caribbean Body-building and Fitness Feder-ation, which has eight countries under its stewardship including Guyana, was unopposed in the nomination period for the top post in the organization that saw some heavy and fiery days over the past week.
After being elected, Tucker said he wanted to thank those who placed their confidence in him and his executives to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the GABBFF and vowed to do so without fear or favour.
“I must say thanks to you for electing my executives and me to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the GABBFF. I intend to execute my duties without fear or favour and, along with my executives, will be working assiduously to resurrect the sport of Bodybuilding in Guyana.”
Tucker also said he intended to revive the sport and was looking forward to a good working relationship with corporate Guyana.
“I am looking to build a good working relationship not only with my executives, but also corporate Guyana as my main intention is to revive the sport which has gone downhill since the hosting of the Central Americas Champion-ships back in 2004.
“After that championship, where the Guyana contingent displayed astuteness in their performances, all those who attended, competitors and officials alike stated that it was the best ever they have been a part of. Guyana gained recognition from the hosting of that event and it will be my endeavour to make sure such recognition is maintained.”
Tucker added: “In order to achieve this, we must go forward together without any divisions.
“Together we aspire, together we can achieve. We cannot afford to go forward with any mixed positions. We must all come to an agreement at the end of the day for the good of the sport.”
He said he was also looking to get into communities and schools to get persons involved in the sport of bodybuilding as well as to give hardcore bodybuilders the opportunity of competing locally and internationally.
Tucker will have as his vice-president, Aretha Adams, who served as the organizing secretary with the past administration.
Kaieteur News’ Franklin Wilson will be taking care of the secretarial duties of the GABBFF, whilst Harris was returned unopposed as treasurer.
There is a new assistant secretary/treasurer in Keemo Fyffe who replaces Robyn Lord who was nominated to serve in the position for another term but respectfully declined.
Outgoing general secretary Bruce Whatley will serve the GABBFF as its organizing secretary. This position was once held by Adams.
The seven committee members are: Onai Vasconcellos, Karen Kellman, Lord, Rhonda Lewis, Leroy George, Alwin Lynch and Prem Persaud who will also be the West Demerara area representative on the executive committee.
Outgoing president Andre Poonai in his report thanked all those who were a part of his executive for the past year and told the delegates gathered that certain goals could not have been realized due to the lack of administrational skills on the executive body.
“We the executive members could not have realized and achieved certain goals that were set out by the executives, due to a lack of administrational skills on the executive body of the GABBFF. However, as head of that body, I take the full responsibility for the misdemeanors that occurred during my tenure as president and wish to thank the other members of my executives that worked along with me for the past year,” said Poonai.
