CAC Championships moved to the DR

All is not lost for sports in The Bahamas for 2020!

Despite the year being cut short due to the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms being closed for most of the year, and training schedules and regimens of athletes in the region being disrupted, the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CACBBFF) is forging ahead with its regional championships, and The Bahamas plans to be represented.

The 47th Annual CAC Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships has already been moved twice – originally set for August 28-30, in Bogotá, Colombia. It was switched to November 19-21, in Bridgetown, Barbados; and is now scheduled to be held from December 4-6, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) released a statement over the weekend, citing that the athletes are doing as best as they can to stay in shape for whenever the competition is held.

“So far, we have a total of 14 athletes who are interested in being a part of Team Bahamas 2020. Those persons will be screened, evaluated, processed, and from that number, we will make a determination of who will make the team,” said BBFF President Joel Stubbs. “Many of the athletes are still in shape and many of them are still enthusiastic about taking this time and opportunity to utilize their talents and see exactly what is out there for them. They still want to earn their respective pro cards to compete on the professional level. We are going to push and try to encourage them and motivate them as best as we can.”

With all of the local competitions cancelled, including the nationals, Stubbs said that they will have to do an evaluation of the athletes to determine who is best fit to represent The Bahamas internationally. Gyms across the country have experienced little activity since the pandemic reached The Bahamas in March. They have been forced to close, opened briefly, and then closed again in the face of restrictions under the COVID-19 Emergency Powers Act.

Stubbs said they will begin their screening process of athletes by mid-November to determine who is best fit to represent The Bahamas at the CACs.

“The athletes are still motivated because for the most part, they have learned how to improvise at home, being on lockdown,” said Stubbs. “Persons are doing more extensive training at their respective homes, using whatever equipment that they have in their possessions as best as they could and just really sticking to their diets. In bodybuilding and fitness, 70 percent is through your diet in the kitchen, 20 percent is done in the gym and the other 10 percent is through your cardio and conditioning. The athletes are definitely very excited and joyous about the CAC Championships still happening and for them to have the ability to display and showcase their talent to the region.”

The BBFF plans to release the make-up of the national team by mid-November, following the screening and evaluation process.

Concerning the move from Barbados to the Dominican Republic (DR), he said a major reason given for that was the negative financial impact it was creating on the Bajan’s economy due to COVID-19.

“This grim outlook influenced their decision not to host or carry out their commitment to this year’s event,” said Stubbs. “In speaking with the promoter in Barbados, he indicated that the sports ministry there was the primary sponsor, and unfortunately, most of the other supporting sponsors also detached their commitment due to their financial situation.”

CACBBFF Vice President and president of the Dominican Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (FBFF) Tony Pena gave assurance of the DR being able to host the event with short notice.

The postponed event will have a two-part championship – one for amateurs, and the other for the professionals. The amateurs will compete December 4 and 5 and the pros will compete on December 6.

“They weren’t going to let this year go by without giving those committed athletes, especially those who’ve made indelible sacrifices, that opportunity to pursue a professional card,” said Stubbs. “Many athletes have toiled in the trenches just for this moment, including our local athletes here and I, too, join in the excitement of seeing this happen.”

Stubbs said that all of the amateur categories will be contested and that there will be an elite show for the professionals who will have five or six open categories, namely women’s physique, men’s physique, women’s wellness, men’s bodybuilding and women’s bikini. A possible sixth category will be announced later.

The pro card winners from the amateur show will each have an opportunity to compete with the pros on the Sunday of the championships, making their pro debut if they choose to do so.

“This opportunity will allow The Bahamas to be represented at these championships for which we have been regional champions over the years,” said Stubbs.

Stubbs said that they have already written to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, notifying them of their planned participation in this event, thereby requesting financial assistance for Team Bahamas. As a result of them not being able to host any local shows this year, they were unable to raise any funds to support Team Bahamas. Be that as it may, he said that they are indeed hopeful that the Government of The Bahamas will be able to step in and assist, thereby honoring their commitment.

“This will indeed boost the morale of others and hopefully show the region that The Bahamas is still alive, energized and well,” said Stubbs.

Stubbs said that health protocols and policies from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) will be enforced and that the CACBBFF has agreed to follow all safety and travel guidelines during the weekend of the championships.

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