This year’s low spectator turnout at the National Senior Games has been blamed on the economic crisis.
That is according to organiser Rawle Clarke, who has insisted the significant drop in the numbers of persons attending the event was not due to a fall-off of interest.
In an interview with MIDWEEK SPORT at the National Stadium on Sunday, the final day of the two-day meet, Clarke said the ‘hard times’ were having a negative effect on the annual meet.
“People have to be sensitive about what is going on in Barbados. The economic situation as we know is all above us and we are trying our best.
“People are only spending money when it is necessary,” Clarke said.
He revealed that back in 2002, the inaugural year of the Games, over 14 000 people had packed into the Stadium, while an estimated 4 000 patrons attended the just concluded two-day meet.
However, he was quick to point out admission to the event was free at that time, while patrons were now required to pay an entrance fee.
“Back in 2002, when we had those large number of people coming to the National Stadium for the Senior Games, it was free, so anyone and everyone could come.
“But now people have to pay, so I’m not perturbed at what I am seeing here.
“We have a crowd here as far as I am concerned and although it is not as much as we would have expected it is sufficient enough to spur on the competitors,” Clarke maintained.
He also dismissed any claims the low turnout was partly due to the clash with two of the biggest shows on the island, the Digicel Vintage Reggae and Reggae on the Hill events which took place on Friday night and Sunday afternoon respectively.
Clarke contended the reggae shows and the Games attracted different crowds.
“The crowd that will come here will not go to Reggae on the Hill. The only people who may go there are the grandchildren who might usually come to support their grandparents, so I don’t think those shows really affected us.”
On a positive note, he revealed there had been a record number of athletes competing in this year’s Games.
And with competitors from Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and St Vincent having competed for the first time in the 12-year history of the competition, Clarke said they were expecting a bigger and better edition for 2015.
“We have been going over the numbers year after year. Right now we have just over 300 athletes competing and this is the most we have ever had,” he disclosed.
“The competition I am seeing here is great. The inclusion of athletes from the US, Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent have made it more competitive and I am seeing some competition that we wouldn’t have seen if it was just Barbadians competing.
“Although we do have a high level of competition every year, with the impetus of these overseas athletes I think it has advanced the competition even greater,” Clarke added.
