Official calls for new board in federation for change

AN official has called for new appointments to the Papua New Guinea Bodybuilding Federation board to ensure that the sport continues to develop nationwide.
The board’s athletes’ representative and National Capital District (NCD) Bodybuilding president Canny Cooper said the absence of the board had forced most provincial associations to spearhead competitions and activities at the national level since 2017.
“Ever since the board was appointed (in 2016), there hasn’t been much done for the sport but it’s only the associations doing everything,” he told The National.
“In 2017, NCD and Lae associations secured sponsorship from the National Gaming and Control Board and Goodman Fielder.
“In 2018, NCD partnered with the Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion to host our national championships.
“Last year, the association in Chimbu and NCD partnered with the Chimbu government to host the championships in Kundiawa.
“Due to time constraints, we were not able to host our annual general meeting (AGM) in Kundiawa last year.
“So we moved it to this year, however, the Covid-19 pandemic has really affected our calendar.
“Our constitution states that after the term of the current board has expired with no new elections, the athletes have the right to appoint an interim board until a proper election is held through the AGM.
“We’ve been sourcing sponsors to host our competitions during this time and most of our athletes and associations now want to see changes in the sport.”
Cooper said associations had been informed and an AGM would be scheduled next month for elections plus competition schedules for next year.