By KELSIE JOHNSON, NG Sports Reporter

With 18 countries already confirmed and two pending, this year's Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships (CAC) will be jotted down in the history books as the biggest international event ever hosted by the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF).

President of the BBFF Danny Sumner, along with executive members from the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB), paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Desmond Bannister, yesterday.

The formal visit was to thank Minister Bannister and his ministry for the contributions given to the federation. The CAC Championships will get underway tonight at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino. The official weigh-in for the two-day event was held last evening at the hotel.

Minister Bannister welcomed the delegates to The Bahamas on behalf of the government and the ministry. He expressed great appreciation to the federation for putting together what he calls a first-class show that not only promotes healthy living but will assist in the growth of sports in The Bahamas.

He said: "We wish to welcome you to the beautiful Bahamas. We as a people are extremely appreciative to the fact that you have sufficient confidence in the leadership of our federation and the success we have had, and to wish to have an event such as this in The Bahamas.

"The sport that you represent is one that has been growing. It represents healthy lifestyles which is critical to what we are as a people - to prolonging life and exhibiting healthy lifestyles among our people."

The minister reassured Sumner that the federation has the continuous support of his ministry and that he will assist in any way possible.

This is the third time The Bahamas will host the CAC Championships, which is now celebrating 36 years. At the last championships, which were held in Hamilton, Bermuda, The Bahamas won the overall title and according to Sumner, this year will be no different. Although the competition will be fierce, Sumner said that Team Bahamas is ready for the challenge ahead.

He said: "The government of The Bahamas, I must give credit to for financial assistance and for getting us to where we are at today. In particular, I would like to thank the honorable minister Desmond Bannister, the Permanent Secretary Archie Nairn and Director of Sports Martin Lundy who have been very instrumental in getting us to where we are at right now. I must also mention the Ministry of Tourism and the Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace who has been very helpful."

Of the 40 countries under the CAC umbrella, countries confirmed to participate include: Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, Bermuda, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, The Netherlands Antilles, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Venezuela. Confirmation is still being sought from St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.