Sport Ministry/NSC deliver $500 000 to GABBFF
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
July 17, 2004
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have delivered on their commitment to support the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) in the hosting of the October 1-3 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships.
The sport ministry through the NSC yesterday committed a first portion of $500 000 to the federation, and over the next three to four months leading up to the event will commit the remaining $1.5M.
The sport ministry had from the outset pledged a total of $4M in cash plus concessions to the championships.
Director of Sports Neil Kumar presented the cheque to treasurer of the GABBFF Robyn Marshall at the NSC office, Main Street, and assured the federation of the government’s committal.
“The National Sports Commission will stand by any commitment that has been made by any minister of the government and that’s why it was decided that we will give you (GABBFF) $500 000 over the next three to four months.”
Kumar also commended the federation for the initiative they took in 2001 to launch the event when they returned from the CAC in Myanmar.
He said he was pleased with the commitment and persistence by the federation in the execution of plans for the event that is expected to have some 38 countries including Guyana participating.
The sport ministry and the NSC have committed their organisations to the support of the federation in the staging of what has been dubbed the biggest sport/tourism event.
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has also come on board for the championships and is offering ‘A Homecoming’ package to the athletes, officials, supporters and overseas-based Guyanese who will be here for the event to be staged at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) over three days.
President of the GABBFF, Yale Holder, thanked NSC and the Ministry of Sport for their commitment.
“We’re grateful to be working with you and we know you will be working with us, leading up to October, with closer relationships with the dignitaries who will be coming in to be part of the opening ceremony.
“We are also looking forward to finalising arrangements over the next few months.”