2 November 2009
A record number of 74 countries comprising some 180 athletes have confirmed their participation in the November 6-7 event, according to Paul Chua, Secretary-General of the newly formed World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF).
The athletes and delegates are expected to arrived from Monday. Pre-judging will take place at 10am on Friday while the final is set to start at 4.30pm on Saturday.
“This is a record for a three-month old baby,” said Chua referring to the breakaway body founded in August in Pattaya, Thailand lauding the efforts of founding WBPF President Osama Ahmad Al Shafar for his leadership. “This would not have been possible without the efforts of Osama and his team of officials. This is a record for the first event to be held in Dubai,” added the veteran official of the sport who is also Secretary-General of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (ABBF).
“It is not an easy job to organise a world championship in such a short time. The large number of nations taking part reflects the support the rest of the world are giving to sporting events in UAE and the fact that UAE has a great reputation for hosting international events,” said Ibrahim Abdul Malik, General Secretary of the General Authority for Sports and Welfare speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of a press conference on Sunday to announce the sponsors for the championship.
“It is a great pleasure for us to hold the number one bodybuilding championships. We are grateful to the efforts done by Osama and his team.
“Bodybuilding is now one of the most popular sports in UAE and we have very good results in most international events with a gold medal in the last Asian Games,” added Abdul Malik.
Axel Bauer, Vice-President of the European body and WBPF director, thanking the sponsors said some of the “best athletes in the world are ready to give a top show” in the 10 weight categories from 55kg to over 100kg. “The young federation which started like a missile, in a short period of time, is looking to grow,” he added.
“I am proud that in a short period of three months that we since established a new federation called the WBPF, 75 countries are going to attend the world championships in my home city Dubai,” said Al Shafar, president of the Emirates Bodybuilding Federation (EBBF) since 2006.
“We are so proud of people, our staff and for the support given by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council,” said Al Shafar who is also President of the ABBF.
Asked about UAE’s chances, he said it would be difficult because this is a world competition. But he said the foundations have been laid for the sport to benefit with the WBPF having their office in Dubai. “This is my favourite sport and I also still train regularly,” said 35-year-old Al Shafar whose Al Shafar Group is one of the main sponsors of the championship.
