President of the Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Association Abdul Hayye Yartey has been appointed as a member of the President’s Office of the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB).
Yartey, who is president of the Ghana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, was formally notified of the appointment by the international governing body.
The IFBB said the appointment reflects its confidence in Yartey’s commitment and contribution to the development and promotion of bodybuilding and fitness.
In his new role, he will work with the IFBB president and the federation’s leadership on international activities and institutional development.
Yartey’s appointment comes after more than two decades of involvement in developing bodybuilding in Ghana.
He began his work in 2000, when there was little organised competitive bodybuilding in the country.
His objective was to establish competitive bodybuilding in Ghana, create opportunities for athletes to compete internationally and help raise the profile of the sport across Africa.
Over the years, his work has contributed to the establishment of national competitions and pathways for Ghanaian athletes to compete on the international stage.
It also included the introduction of Pro Card competitions in the West African sub-region and Africa, as well as professional bodybuilding events in Ghana.
Yartey has also been involved in fitness education and initiatives aimed at improving access to training and professional development within the industry.
The development of the sport has helped create opportunities for athletes, coaches, fitness professionals and businesses, with more than 15 elite professional athletes emerging from the system, according to Yartey.
He says the journey has not been without challenges, including financial difficulties and limited support, but that he and his team remained committed to developing the sport.
His appointment to the IFBB President’s Office is now another milestone in his efforts to establish Ghana as an important centre for bodybuilding and fitness in Africa.
The IFBB congratulated Yartey and wished him success in his new responsibilities.