Plans afoot to boost bodybuilding

By Kimberley Cummins

Bodybuilding may very soon return to its years of dominance in Barbados, says

newly re-elected president of the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BABBFF), Dr. Alfred Sparman.

In his first interview since his election victory over the weekend, Dr. Sparman detailed the plans for his new tenure which include an increased number of sports people attaining professional status, international exposure, further training for athletes and a supportive association. According to Sparman, the latter was at the crux of the potential success or failure of local sportspersons.

“I can tell you right now, for 16 years the previous administration they couldn’t get pro-cards and we are doing it now. We got 12 pro-cards before the pandemic and 20 are up for grabs this year. [Bodybuilders] are serious but they were suppressed. The past administration was very biased, they were partial and so forth. So, . . . a lot of people were disenchanted with the sport but we came in and we are fair,” he told Barbados TODAY.

Last Saturday’s election held at the Wildey Gymnasium was quite brief as Sparman along with his team made up of first vice-president Corey Morris, second vice president Roger Boyce, honourary secretary Elaine White and public relations officer Ivor Worrell, was unanimously returned to office. He applauded them and credited them for the strides the association achieved in his first term. The election of a sports development officer is expected to be held this coming week.

“This strong executive that I have, we have a very fair team and bodybuilding and fitness are our priority. So, bodybuilding will become great again, that’s a fact,” the administrator added.

Sparman continued: “The aim is to make Barbadians recognise and appreciate that bodybuilding is a career. There is a career if you can market yourself and get out there – you can do it. We had Darcy Beckles umpteen years ago but now we need more people. Barbadians got good genes, we are strong people. If you look at the men, they are generally bigger boned. So, we can get a lot of athletes to the professional level and put the country on the map.

“But the backing of an association has been the ingredient. What was hindering these guys was that the previous administration, they had other self-interests at heart, now we have an executive which is willing to help them to get from point A to point B and to market themselves and to do good in bodybuilding and to take it on as a profession and these guys are taking this thing seriously,” he maintained.

Workshops with doctors that specialize in sports medicine as well as international judges are planned for the coming months to teach the athletes how to deal with nutrition, how they can attain the body they are looking for without getting associated with steroids, among other necessities.

After a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a busy 2022 season ahead for the BABBFF. The first major contest is slated for this Saturday, the In-House/Inter-gym Bodybuilding and Fitness competition at the Wildey Gynasium. Categories are: men’s bodybuilding, men’s physique, men’s classic physique, women’s physique, women’s bikini fitness and women’s wellness fitness. Three-time Mr. Barbados Stevenson Belle along with former Mr. Barbados Ramon Broomes will be guest posers.

Nationals is carded for June 25; the Roger Boyce Elite Pro Event comes off July 30th, while Barbados will host the Central American and Caribbean Championship at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on July 27-29.