KUALA LUMPUR: Since bodybuilding is not included in the list of sports at the Laos SEA Games, the Malaysian Body Building Federation (MBBF) will flex its muscles on four international bodybuilding championships scheduled this year.The championships are the Asian 44th Body Building Championship in Tehran, Iran, scheduled for Aug 2-7; SEA Body Building Championship (SEA BBC) in Singapore (Sept 29-Oct 3); World Body Building Championship in Bangkok, Thailand (Nov 3-8) and the Beach Games in Muscat, Oman (Dec 6-14).
“Selection of athletes to participate in the four championships will be made through the states’ championships, as well as the 44th National Body Building Championship to be held in Penang in July,” MBBF honorary secretary Kamaruzaman Kadir told Bernama here yesterday.
He said, based on the MBBF calendar, most states would organise their local circuit, beginning with Mr Perak on June 6, Mr Kelantan (June 19), Mr Selangor (June 27) and Mr ATM (June 27).
However, Kamaruzaman added, since bodybuilding was not one of the country’s core sports, the federation incurred financial problems to send the national bodybuilders to compete at international championships abroad.
“This year, our focus is actually on the championships in Iran and Thailand. The federation can only afford to send one or two athletes to compete in the Asian championship in Tehran, but we will try to send more bodybuilders to Bangkok, as it is closer to home and involves much lower cost,” he said.
Currently, he said, there were 15 to 20 potential bodybuilders who could represent the country in the international arena.
“The one shining the most is five-time Mr Universe Sazali Abdul Samad.
“The others still lack exposure and consistency,” he noted.
The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, will be held on Oct 3-14, while the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, is scheduled for Nov 13-21. — Bernama