MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE have registered to take part in this year’s Senior Games so far, which promises to be the biggest and most inclusive staging yet, according to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey.
Speaking at the official launch event and motorcade on Saturday, which ended at Golden Square in The City, Humphrey said organisers have made a deliberate effort to recapture the excitement and community spirit that defined the event when it began over two decades ago. “The Senior Games, when they first started some 21, 22 years ago, were a massive event,” he said. “The stadiums were full, people had a fun time, you know. There were some serious athletes, but there were also a lot of people having fun. I think we made a deliberate effort this year to go back to some of that fun element and to have more inclusion.”
In line with the We Gatherin’ spirit, athletes will now compete to earn points for their home parishes. The top four parishes will mount the podium at the Games’ conclusion, in a format designed to stir community pride and deepen grassroots engagement. That inclusivity is reflected in the diversity of this year’s participants.
“We have people with disabilities, we have different people from different communities, different service organisations. So I think it’s going to be massive. So far, over 300 people have registered for this version of the Games,” Humphrey said.
He highlighted the event’s intergenerational spirit as one of its most valuable features.
“What I like to see is the young people and the older people having fun, and I see older people
and younger people talking and getting that intergenerational blend, and we got a lot of that this morning. I think people don’t recognise how important it is for young people just to be in the presence of older people, or older people to be in the presence of younger people, so you can start that conversation.”
The minister also commended the artistes and organisations who have supported the Games, many offering their time and talents free of charge.
“These people do a lot of this thing for free for us. A lot of the organisations have supported us because it’s a good cause. And Barbados has to stay healthy. Barbados has to stay active.”
Throwing events
The Games open on May 3 with the throwing events at Queen’s College and the jumping events at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.
On June 1, there will be a 5K road race which incorporates walkers, runners, cyclists and for the first time, skaters, along the Mighty Grynner Highway. The main event, the track and field meet at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, will be held on June 9.
In September, there will be a two-day event on the 20th and 21st where participants in 18 other sporting disciplines, including archery, chess, darts and dominoes, will compete.
Registration for the Senior Games main event closes on May 27, while registration for the other disciplines will close on September 5. (JC)
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