By DAHALIA SMITH,NG Sports Reporter,dahalia@nasguard.com

Long Island, Abaco and Grand Bahamian based bodybuilders have recently benefited from their own bodybuilding and fitness association to govern their respective athletes, but New Providence athletes have always been under a wider scope, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF).

However, yesterday, it was announced at a press conference held at the Mystical Fitness Gym, that the New Providence Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (NPBFA) was formed to assist athletes based in the capital. According to BBFF President Danny Sumner, former Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Champion in the heavyweight division, and pro card holder Aaron Green is expected to head the NPBFA, and former powerlifter and seasoned bodybuilder Chris McQueen was voted in as Vice President.

Those in attendance were Long Island coach Omar Daley, McQueen, Sumner, BBFF Vice President Chevy Roker and BBFF Executive Director Derek Bullard. Sumner explained that forming this governing body is imperative in an effort to get the bodybuilding and fitness athletes more involved with promoting healthy lifestyles. Prior to the new body's formation, the BBFF itself was responsible for the athletes living in New Providence.

"This body was formed with good intentions in mind, which is to get as much athletes in Nassau into a consistent program. I endorse Green and McQueen's election into office as they both have a lot of experience and I believe that they will do a great job in getting this association going. This year we have a lot of programs that the federation is looking at which deals with expansion and promoting fitness and health throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas," said Sumner.

McQueen, as one of the chief pioneers of the NPBFA, is excited for this opportunity.

"Thanks to Danny and the federation for assisting with the formation of this new body. Right now we are focused on infusing young blood into the sport. We are prepared to reach new levels through this body. This is why we ask all of the athletes to work along with the NPBFA," noted McQueen.

Roker who also serves as Marketing and Public Relations Officer of the federation, and is also a certified judge, aims to introduce the sport to high school student athletes.

The BBFF also released its 2009 calendar. The events slated for the first half of year include the Eastern Caribbean Championships set for May 29-31 in Trinidad, the Novice Championships slated for May 30 in Nassau, Bahamas, a mandatory training and international judging seminar tentatively set for mid-June and the Grand Bahama Championships scheduled for June 27.

The schedule is scattered with events during the last six months of this year including the National Championships on July 11, the World Games from July 16-20 in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, the Antilles Championships from July 25-27 in the Dominican Republic, the Continental Championship set for September 20 - October 4 in St. George's Grenada, the Women's Bodybuilding and Fitness World Championship scheduled for October 16-19 in Italy, the Men's World Championships set for November 2-7 in the United Arab Emirates, the Juniors and Masters Bodybuilding and Fitness World Championships to be held in November in Poland and the Central American and Caribbean Championships scheduled for December in Honduras.