The top brass of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) along with some of their standout athletes recently paid a courtesy call on Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr where the development of the strength sport was discussed.
The meeting which was attended by President Franklin Wilson, Secretary Roger Rogers, and Treasurer, Maxwell Denny along with Carlos Petterson-Grifith, Romeo Hunter and Dominic Tyrell (virtually), afforded both parties the opportunity to share an outlook for the collective development of the sport in Guyana.
Minister Ramson shared the Government of Guyana’s policy on sports development, highlighting the focus on infrastructure and capacity development aimed at affording athletes the best opportunity for development and success.
He assured the federation that where an athlete has the potential and likelihood of succeeding at a competition, the Ministry will support it within its resource availability. It was acknowledged that the cost of participation is on the higher end of the scale, this is a constraint for which much work is needed to overcome.
The Ministry pledged to work with GAPLF with a view to acquiring equipment to outfit for competition and training purposes.
Wilson briefed Minister Ramson on activities for this year including the novice and Intermediate competitions which have already been completed as well as plans for the annual FESUPO Regional Powerlifting Championships slated for September 6-10 in Lima, Peru.
World Juniors and IPF World Classic and Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships from October 8-15 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia where three athletes, Nadina Taharally, Roger Rogers, and Gordon Spencer will attend.
The Federation assured the Minister that its vision prioritizes the principles of good governance and aims to make the body a model sister Federation.
Also, the Federation noted that it will always aim to have the broadest eligible representation at all times to ensure the best athletes are representing Guyana.
Peterson-Griffith brought Minister up to date with his exploits attained at the Annual World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships in Malta where he landed a silver medal in the deadlift and a bronze in the squat. He also ended sixth in the 93kg Class which attracted some 38 lifters.
This competition was the biggest in IPF history, with a total of 65- member nations taking part and over 400 lifters, 37 referees and 257 other officials, it was the largest and most diverse participation in any Open Classic World Championship ever.
