NABBA Pro Gavin Morris will be awarded prize money for winning his class at the Universe after all.
Originally, NABBA did not award him the cash they had set aside for that category because he was the only competitor who entered. It is also understood they were not going to award Morris with a trophy for the same reason, but later decided they would.
And after frontdouble.com reported the story, NABBA officials got in touch to say they were going to pay Morris his prize money.
NABBA International President Eddy Ellwood wrote on social media: "There was something there for him. I announced for him to return to the stage. Please Gavin if you are reading this get in touch with Jim Charles NABBA HQ.
And in response to frontdouble.com's request for comment, NABBA Secretary Val Charles said: "We have sorted Gavin’s prize money [they have agreed to pay it].
"He was nowhere to be found after his win, but I have it safe and sound. Gavin is happy for me to send the money owed directly to his bank account.
"So yet again, all's well that ends well. We should say another positive plus to the NABBA Association."
Morris was less than impressed when discovering that he was the only entrant in the Classic Pro category. He said: "I was the only one in my category in the pro Classic and they [NABBA] were not even going to give me a trophy – and no cash prize for me either. I should have stayed an amateur and been rewarded.
"I also wasn't even told about the pro overall, so left before it as it wasn't on the running order and no one spoke to myself all day. It was very poor to say the least."
Asked by frontdouble about the refusal to award him the cash prize NABBA had set aside for that category, Morris said: "Yes – and they even made me feel like they were doing me a favour giving me a trophy."
His coach, Masters bodybuilder Chris Unitt, was equally disappointed at the move. Writing on social media, Unitt said: "Disgusting if you ask me. Obviously they would have put winnings aside for the Classic category and to not be awarded the spoils was ridiculous. You cannot dictate who turns up for a show."
NABBA claim they were going to pay the prize money all along. But the federation only got in touch about it after frontdouble.com reported the story.
Rules on the NABBA website state that "any event with less than three competitors shall be deemed a 'No contest'. But there is no indication that this applies to the Pro Division – where the entire point is to compete for prize money.
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