Revamped National Senior Games to boost involvement across ages, abilities

The National Senior Games are back with a fresh emphasis on inclusivity, community engagement, and enjoyment, according to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey.

Speaking during a site walk-through on Monday with organisers, vendors, and emergency personnel, the minister said this year’s event has been deliberately restructured to attract wider participation and broaden its appeal.

“We had determined that we needed to restructure and to review the Games [with] the view to do a number of things. One, we want to attract more spectators; two we want to attract more competitors; three,…we wanted regular Barbadians to feel that they could come out and enjoy the games; and four, because this is our major programme in relation to activation and healthy ageing, [we wanted to] have more activities in the communities and to bring more people to the idea that as we age, we must take care of our physical bodies, our mental bodies and our emotional bodies too,” Humphrey explained.

Now in its 21st year, the Games have become increasingly competitive—an evolution that Humphrey said, while admirable, may have unintentionally discouraged casual participants.

“The Games started off as an event where . . . regular people were running; it wasn’t taken overly serious . . . . Over time, it became extremely serious,” he said. “The Games became extremely competitive — it should be for the professional athletes, and we respect that. We also feel that there also has to be an element of fun. There also has to be an element where regular people feel that they can come and enjoy and participate in the games.”

Coordinator Ytannia Wiggins said that as of last week, more than 200 participants had already registered.

“We’re hoping that the participants bring 200 plus people to watch them as well, so we want to prepare for that as we go forward,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins also noted a welcome increase in female participation, which now accounts for 45 per cent of registrants.

“So that shows that there’s an improvement in terms of having more females come in to participate in the senior games as well,” She explained.

The age categories are spread across three groups: the Masters Division (ages 40-49), which makes up 20 per cent of participants; the core Seniors Division (50-69), representing 60 per cent; and the Super Seniors (70+).

This year’s event kicks off with a motorcade on May 24, starting at the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs and heading to Pelican Village, where it will collect sporting federation representatives before parading through Bridgetown. The festivities will conclude at Freedom Park, Golden Square, with a mini wellness fair, movement sessions and a cultural carnival, featuring performances by top local calypsonians and artistes.

The throwing events will take place at Queen’s College on May 31, followed by the road race on June 1, which is open to runners, walkers, cyclists, and, for the first time, skaters. The Games will culminate with the track and field finale on June 9.

Wiggins further revealed that this year, participants will compete on behalf of their home parishes, embracing the spirit of the We Gatherin’ celebrations.

Long-time organiser Mac Fingall added that the uniformed services—including the Barbados Defence Force, Police, Customs, Immigration, and Coast Guard—will also field teams.

“So far, we have the police going to bring two teams, one for the training school, which will be young fellows. In this category, you don’t have to be over 40. This is special; you just got to come because you belong to the organisation. It’s an attempt really to bring into focus those entities to let people understand and reinforce how important they are,” he explained.

Calypsonians from the island’s calypso tents will also compete in their own special category.

(SB)