Massive boost for bodybuilding

Accra, July 29, GNA - Bodybuilding, one of the sporting disciplines under the National Sports Council (NSC) is set to enjoy an enormous comeback after long years of decline on the local scene. This follows the organisation of a bodybuilding competition by Flavour Productions Company Limited in collaboration with the Bodybuilding Association of Ghana (BAG).

The event, which is fixed for December 16 at the Accra International Conference Centre would be the second after the sport was revived last year and would be under the theme, "Health and Fitness, Important Ingredients for building a successful nation". Mr Abdul Hayye Yartey, Chief Executive of Flavour Company Limited who launched the event in Accra, said the purpose of the programme is to see to the development of the sport in the country and promote it to the highest level. He said that the event, which is in its second year since it was revived, is expected to witness massive improvement in the form of organisation.

Mr Hayye Yartey announced that the next edition of the programme for 2006 would be the introduction of weightlifting into the competition. According to Mr Hayye Yartey, bodybuilding has a link with weightlifting, hence the blending of the two will serve as good grounds for grooming talents for the latter. He said this would ensure that the nation wins more laurels at the international level.

Mr Johnson Cliff Aboagye, Chairman of the Ghana Weightlifting Association (GWA) and the Ghana Bodybuilding Association (GBA) urged the media to give the two disciplines the needed support to enhance their development. He said much attention has been focused on football to the detriment of other sports and this has resulted in the unequal development of sports in Ghana.