Powerlifting contingent discusses development agenda with Sport Minister

Having taken over the administration of the sport back in March 2023, members of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) along with two athletes recently met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. at the Ministry’s Boardroom.

President Franklin Wilson, Secretary Roger Roger, and Treasurer Maxwell Denny were the Executive members, along with Carlos Peterson-Griffith, who enjoyed a successful sojourn to the Annual World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships held from June 11-8, 2023 in Malta.

Romeo Hunter and Dominic Tyrell (virtually) also attended the meeting; the two athletes are set to represent Guyana at the IPF World Classic and Equipped Sub Junior And Junior Powerlifting Championships to be held from August 24 to September 3, 2023, in Cluj Napoca, Romania.

The meeting afforded both parties the opportunity to share an outlook for the collective development of the sport in Guyana.

Minister Ramson shared the Government of Guyana’s policy on sports development, highlighting the focus on infrastructure and capacity development aimed at affording athletes the best opportunity for development and success.

He assured the Federation that where an athlete has the potential and likelihood of succeeding at a competition, the Ministry will support it within its resource availability.

It was acknowledged that the cost of participation is on the higher end of the scale, this is a constraint for which much work is needed to overcome.

The Ministry has pledged to work with GAPLF with a view to acquiring equipment to outfit for competition and training purposes.

Federation President Wilson briefed Minister Ramson on activities for this year, including the Novice and Intermediate competitions, which have already been completed as well as plans for the annual FESUPO Regional Powerlifting Championships slated for September 6-10, 2023 in Lima, Peru.

There is also the World Juniors and IPF World Classic and Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships from October 8-15, 2023 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where three athletes, Nadina Taharally, Roger Rogers, and Gordon Spencer will attend.

The Federation assured the Minister that its vision prioritises the principles of good governance and aims to make the body a model sister Federation.

Also, the Federation noted that it will always aim to have the broadest eligible representation at all times to ensure the best athletes are representing Guyana.

Peterson-Griffith brought the Minister up to date with his exploits attained at the Annual World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships in Malta where he landed a silver medal in the deadlift and a bronze in the squat. He also ended 6th in the 93kg Class which attracted some 38 lifters.

This competition was the biggest in IPF history, with a total of 65 member nations taking part and over 400 lifters, 37 referees, and 257 other officials, it was the largest and most diverse participation in any Open Classic World Championship ever.