70 countries expected to take part in bodybuilding meet

Dubai: Emirates Body Building Federation (EBBF) is expecting at least 70 countries to confirm their participation for the inaugural World Body Building Championships to be held in November.

"As of now, we have confirmations from 35 countries, and we are expecting at least another 35 more nations to confirm participation before the October 15 deadline," Osama Al Shafar, President of the World Body Building and Physique Sports Federation (WBPSF) told Gulf News.

The World Body Building Championships will be held at the Al Ahli Club's indoor hall from November 3-8.

The breakaway WBPSF was formed earlier this year following a dispute between Al Shafar and a few top bodybuilding officials and the world governing body IFBB. Since then, the new WBPSF that was launched in Thailand during the Asian Body Building Championships held in Pattaya in August has attracted a good registration from member nations.

"This will be our first competition and we have got outstanding support from all concerned. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will be the main patron of this competition with support from Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai," Al Shafar stated.

As per norms laid down for any international competition of this stature, as hosts, the UAE will be able to field 20 athletes in the ten weight categories during the competition. "We should easily have around 650 top bodybuilders in the UAE at the beginning of November," Al Shafar said.

Meanwhile, the top official claimed that the new body has been seeking official recognition from all concerned including the International Olympic Committee (IOC).