Bodybuilders to mobilise the youth for productive ventures

Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - Previous competitors of bodybuilding competitions including "Mr Ghana" contest have formed a union called "007" to help the youth to channel their energies into community development and agricultural production.

The programme, being facilitated by Maximum Gym and Fitness Centre at Dansoman in Accra, would also help to erase public perception that bodybuilding is associated with social vices.

Sequel to this, Maximum Gym has struck a deal with several communities in the Greater Accra Region to provide land for the pilot project to kick-start.

Discussions have begun with local and central government to give the programme a firm backing, which would serve as conduit for poverty alleviation, and to curb rural-urban drift.

Nii Armah Amartefio, Public Relations Officer of Maximum Gym told the GNA Sports in Accra that the Gym intends to focus on competitors who placed 1-4 in bodybuilding, power lifting, weight lifting and modelling competitions.

He said they would be the lynchpin around which the programme will revolve.

The reigning Champion of "Mr Ghana", King Sabato is the Chairman of the union, while the other three runners up in other segments -body building; weightlifting and modelling are also members.

Nii Amartefio said apart from creating and managing farm projects, the union would also manage some recreational centres and tourism sites in the country. He called for both financial and technical support for the project to take-off.