Bodybuilding nationals set

By MELTON PAIS

THE National Capital District’s bodybuilders are training at the Murray Barracks gym in preparation for the National Body Building Championships in Minj, Jiwaka, in May.
Former Mr PNG Lucas Wemin and Canny Cooper, who is also the NCD Bodybuilding Association president, are training among the amateurs.
Papua New Guinea Bodybuilding Federation acting president Timai Tally confirmed the date for the national championships during the launching of their 2017 programme.
Present at the launching was one-time Mr PNG Imbak Wiape, who is also the PNGBBF secretary, and Port Moresby Bodybuilding Association representatives.
Tally said the federation chose Jiwaka to host the May 27-29 championships because the province produced PNG bodybuilding icons in the likes of Wiape and Wemin.
“Jiwaka Bodybuilding Association has produced big-name body builders in the country,” he said.
Tally called on provincial associations to prepare their bodybuilders for the nationals as selections would be made  for international meets at the showcase.
“This will be a first of its kind event for Jiwaka and we are all looking forward to it,” Tally said.
He said concentrating on rural  development was one of PNGBBF’s key agendas in their bid to promote the sport where potential talent was aplenty.  “We have even   gone directly to the district level,” he said.
“Markham Body Building Association in the Morobe is one such district association registered directly to the PNG Body Building Federation.”
He said the PNGBBF annual general meeting would be held straight after the national championship in Jiwaka.
Tally said the financial reports would also be presented during the meeting.
He called on associations with outstanding affiliation fees to pay up before the date of the competition.
“Associations that do not affiliate will not be allowed to participate which means their athletes would miss out on selection for the national team,” he said.