The global economic downturn has claimed another sporting scalp.
This time, it is bodybuilding that has been forced to send its smallest team in three decades to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC)?Championships.
Yesterday, president of the Barbados Amateur Bodybuilding and?Fitness Federation, Dr Andrew Forde, told the MIDWEEK?NATION that just five representatives – three bodybuilders and two body fitness entrants – will be making the trip to El Salvador in two weeks’ time.
Coast Guard officer Stevenson Belle, who captured the Mr Barbados title on his first appearance at the National Championships, Miss Barbados Julia Davis and this country’s most exciting young talent, Ramon Broomes, will carry the bodybuilding flag.
The body fitness entrants are Sandy Lane Hotel fitness instructor Vickie Borman and Ramona Morgan – the top two from last month’s Nationals.
Forde, who will manage the team, said it was costing the federation nearly $3 000 per ticket ($2 900) to go to the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America.
It is the smallest team that Barbados have ever selected for the annual competition. The CAC Championships began in 1973, with team competition starting in 1974 when the regional competition was held here at the Marine House.
“Travel costs has put significant limitations on the size of the team,” Forde said.
“It’s been a difficult year for us. We have been able to do our own fund-raising to get this team going but the economic recession has hit almost every organisation and we are no different.
“Everyone is having a hard time and it hasn’t helped that this destination is one of the more expensive ones, like Bermuda, Bahamas and Venezuela.”
Forde added that the national team would be passing through Trinidad and?Tobago and Panama en route to El Salvador because that route was less expensive than going via Miami.
It means that Barbados have all but surrendered the team title that has been their preserve for a long time.
The president acknowledged that even without the financial constraints, Barbados would have it tough after a modest National Championships in which there were no entrants in the fitness category.
“It is not realistic for us to retain the CAC championship this year. We don’t have any fitness athletes this year – male and female – and also the depth isn’t there because most of the experienced athletes didn’t come to the Nationals,” he said.
Nevertheless, Forde said the team of five would make their presence felt.
“It’s a small, quality team and I still expect them to win between three [and] five divisions. We should beat a lot of countries that are sending much bigger teams.
“Vickie and Ramona are defending body fitness high-category champions; Ramon has won the juniors before and is expected to be in much better condition for CAC.
“I am expecting much from Belle and Julia Davis. Belle is going to give a good account of himself whether it is in the super middleweight or the light heavyweight class, while Davis is one of the better female bodybuilders we have had in recent years and we are hoping she gets it right for CAC,” he added.
The team, which will be coached by Carl Moore, will leave Barbados on September 21 for the September 24 muscle and fitness treat.