In spite of an enhanced product of entertainment over the years, the National Senior Games, which will be staged at the National Stadium on April 21, will still be available for all Barbadians at giveaway cost.
In officially launching the highly popular Games yesterday in the conference room of the Community Development Department at Warrens Office Complex, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steven Blackett said that considering the economic climate, the cost of taking in the finals would remain at $5 for the Louis Lynch Stand and $3 for all other stands.
Blackett said consideration was given to increasing the entrance fees to help cover some of the cost of staging the event as well as assisting those athletes who qualified for the Huntsman Games in Utah.
“However, considering the economic situation of the world, we felt it best to keep down the fee in order to accommodate those families and friends who want to be part of the Games,” Blackett said.
Economics also stymied the organisers plans to hold the Games on Saturday and Sunday to involve those people who could not compete on Saturday due to religious reasons.
Blackett added that his ministry was in the final stages of completing the White Paper On Ageing which should shortly be submitted to Cabinet.
The paper deals comprehensively with all aspects of the ageing process and will seek to revolutionize the way in which Barbados recognize, cater to and provide for the senior members of the population.
The 2012 Games start on March 16 with basketball and table tennis.
Competitors over 40 years will also engage in archery, basketball, cycling, road racing, netball and tennis with the grand finale of track and field taking place on April 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Long-serving Games director Rawle Clarke said that on the advice of the medical profession competitors would be restricted to a maximum of four events on the day of the finals.
Clarke also added that the Games were being embraced by all Barbadians with the development of seniors club at Weymouth and the Cave Hill Campus.
Permanent Secretary Bruce Alleyne said it was obvious that the athletes wanted to make the senior games in Utah, but at the same time the emphasis was on ensuring greater participation by all of the athletes as well as the opportunities for families and friends to come out and create or strengthen social bonds.
