JABBFA sending largest ever squad to CAC Champs

The Jamaica Amateur Body Building and Fitness Association (JABBFA) is hoping to send between 16 and 20 athletes to this year's Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, from September 28 to October 1.

The association is looking to build on the success of the squad that went to the 44th staging of the CAC Championships last year. However, JABBFA President Audrey Allwood said that although the Sports Development Foundation has been very helpful, more funds are still needed, and she is appealing to corporate Jamaica to help the team with sponsorship of its athletes.

"What we're doing now is asking if the athletes can get assistance from anyone out there, because we need to take a team this year," she said. "We are doing very well. Last year, we took 12 athletes and came back with 13 medals. That is fantastic for a little island like us, and we're talking about 42 countries, and we did really well. We're always on top, always there. The athletes are looking far better this year and the athletes and we know we can do well so we need just that little extra help from corporate Jamaica."

DIASPORA WILL BE ACCOMMODATED

JABBFA Vice-president Kirk Frankson said that this year's team will incorporate not just local athletes, but also those from the diaspora looking to represent their homeland.

"This year's team actually includes persons who are living in Jamaica and the diaspora," he said. "We actually have two persons who are living in other Caribbean countries and one person in the United States who is actually competing for Jamaica.

"We are currently having a problem gaining sponsorship for the team. The overall cost for each athlete runs between $150,000 and $200,000 to go to Mexico. "

Frankson also revealed that Jamaica will be bidding to host the 47th staging of the tournament in 2019.

"Jamaica has not hosted the CAC Championships in more than 12 years, and we are currently putting in a bid to host it in 2019," he said. "This is one of our major priorities to ensure that our athletes get an opportunity to become professionals."