Despite the general satisfaction over the 12th annual National Senior Games, some athletes have voiced concern over the organization.
Over 200 participants took part in the games last Saturday at the National Stadium that featured more than 100 events in various age groups.
BAMSAC (Barbados Masters And Seniors Athletic Club) athlete Pearl Yearwood said too much time was taken up after the presentation.
“I think we wasted too much time . . . . For instance, after the presentations were finished, [the organizers] wasted nearly an hour before the actual start of the other events,” she said.
Her teammate Gloria Crookendale voiced her distress about proceedings, saying that she expected this year’s event would have been more organized.
“I feel you have to wait too long for the start of the races and the events in between the races,” she said.
Lonie “Bakes” Miller, another athlete, voiced his concerns not only about the initial organization of the games but also about the atmosphere.
“The spirit of the games is not as good as in the past. Before it was everybody helping each other but now it has gotten so competitive,” he said.
Miller added that one of the major problems was that people who reached their 70s tended to shy away from the games.
“Once you reach 70 there are very few people to compete, and that is a problem,” he said. (CC)
