Bodybuilding |18 December 2023

Mr Henriette with IBFF Africa president Arnie Williams (Photo: Contributed)

SBPF in talks with IBFF for future collaboration

With the aim of bringing more opportunities and international exposure for local bodybuilders, the Seychelles Bodybuilding and Physiques Federation is currently in talks with the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Africa.

Head of the caretaker committee of the Seychelles Bodybuilding and Physiques Federation (SBPF), Rodney Henriette, has told Sports NATION that he has met and held discussions with International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBFF) African president Arnie Williams who is also the vice-president of IBFF and president of IBFF South Africa.

“We discussed about ways the SBPF could collaborate with IBFF to build a strong relationship that will benefit local bodybuilders,” said Mr Henriette.

He added that it all started when they took part in a bodybuilding tournament recently and also last year in South Africa.

“Mr Williams commended our local athletes for their good performance, while recognising these athletes’ great potential and brought forward a proposal for a partnership between Seychelles and the African governing body for bodybuilding. Mr Williams said he would like Seychelles to host an All-African Championship for bodybuilding in the near future,” said Mr Henriette.

He added that talks are still ongoing and that both sides are working on finalising the details to make the partnership official.

The head of the SBPF caretaker committee also mentioned that this partnership will bring great benefits for local athletes by providing greater opportunities for them to compete abroad and get exposed internationally.

“It will open doors for our athletes to take part on a bigger stage – not just in Africa, but all over the globe as members of IBFF Africa get to take part in world events,” said Mr Henriette.

He added that through this partnership, it will also be easier to obtain courses for local judges, stage masters, analysts and statisticians, helping them raise their level and that of local bodybuilding.

Mr Henriette also told Sports NATION that the election for a new SBPF executive committee is set for next year and they have already informed the athletes that there will be no events until the Office of the Registrar has completed vetting the new federation to make sure it is following all regulations in place.

Since no competition can be organised now, the Mr Seychelles contest has been postponed to March 2024 and Mr Henriette said they anticipate to introduce a novice category for the competition.

Neil Sirame