NABBA international president Eddy Ellwood has hit back at critics who say the federation is "selling out" traditional values by offering Pro Cards to area-show winners.
In January this year, NABBA announced that they would be launching a full Pro League in 2026. To facilitate this, they would be offering Pro Cards to the winners of each area show this season. In addition, they would be offering pro status to those competitors they deemed worthy.
As frontdouble.com commented at the time, such a move has the potential to shake up British bodybuilding, with only the IFBB currently offering a full Pro League.
The first of NABBA's Pro Cards were awarded last weekend at both the Scotland and Midlands shows.
But within days, Ellwood posted a message on social media answering criticism that frontdouble.com understands comes mainly from within NABBA.
And speaking exclusively to frontdouble.com, Ellwood added: "Bodybuilding is subjective to opinion and everyone is entitled to one. I’ve tried to be diplomatic in explaining we are, first and foremost, a federation for the athletes who are all chasing different things to what I did way back in the 90s.
"Nowadays it's a social-media-hyped scene, where people's popularity is gauged by their number of followers, likes and having a pro status. Regardless of our individual outlook or opinions, we have little option but to either sink or swim. That’s the reality of it. We have to embrace the change, otherwise we'll become extinct like the dinosaurs."
Ellwood's message on social media read: "I have to respond to the few people that are having their little attack on NABBA, claiming that we are selling out our traditional values by giving out Pro Cards to overall area winners. This as well as providing an opportunity for anyone that is deemed a professional standard to also receive professional status.
"First of all, we no longer live in an era of only two major federations in the UK, where NABBA and the EFBB shared the bodybuilding populous. We are now contending with numerous federations, who not all have good intentions.
"At the moment, the top feds are running like well-oiled money-making machines, creating the glitz and glamour and taking out the best amateurs by giving them pro cards which, let’s be honest, have little to no value.
"NABBA still has its traditional values. First and foremost we are for the athletes. All of our show entry fees get given back in prize money.
"We want to award our best with professional status. This will only be activated when they choose to compete professionally, which has to be within a two-year period. This allows them to remain amateur for the NABBA Britain, World and Universe, before making the decision to compete professionally.
"We are creating opportunities and giving a lot back and we are maintaining our traditions of athletes first and foremost. We are not selling out."
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