Sports

National Senior Games Slated For May 5 – 20

The 20th Edition of the National Senior Games will be held from May 5 to 20, with the finals of the track and field events taking place at the Usain Bolt Complex, on May 18,19, and 20.

This was revealed today by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, as he addressed a press conference at Vauxhall Senior Citizens’ Village, Vauxhall, Christ Church.

Mr. Humphrey, in encouraging the athletes and the general public to support the Games, called for “new athletes” to participate and continue the tradition.

He said: “I want some new, not necessarily young, but new faces to come to the Games and participate and to get the level of fitness eventually… and just to maintain healthy ageing.”

The Minister noted that Barbados has one of the oldest populations in the world, and the results of the last census show that for every person over 65, there was one in five people and for those over 60, there was one in four persons in the country.

Mr. Humphrey continued: “That’s a very old population. If you look at the trajectory, unchecked, in the next few years, the average Barbadian will be almost 60. So, we have to be careful in terms of how we plan Barbados. We have to make sure that we have events for seniors to be able do…. This is about active ageing; it is also about us finding ways for older people to continue to work, older people to be part of the economy. I think you should be marketing products to older people. It makes no sense not to do it since our population is ageing. So, I want to encourage Barbadians, particularly older Barbadians to get involved.”

The 2024 Games will comprise 19 disciplines, up from 13 last year, and three persons will be honoured in the same vein that Victor Young; Hamilton Lashley, and Kathy Harper-Hall were recognised in 2023, at the start of the Games.

It is also anticipated that a programme documenting the “Road To Senior Games” will be televised over the next eight weeks, on CBC-TV8.

Mr. Humphrey, while pointing out that the Ministry would be honouring some of the senior athletes who participated in the Games over the last 20 years or so, said: “We have to capture a lot of what we are losing – when some of the older people begin to talk, the things that they tell you; the things that many young people never even heard [about] and things that make a lot of sense because they carry knowledge…. We have to be in a position to respect our seniors who have made a significant contribution to Barbados.”

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the National Senior Games, Jasper Blades, in outlining “the bigger and better Games”, said the new additions are motor sports, badminton, cricket, football, volleyball (both beach and court) and bodybuilding.

Pointing out there was potential for other sports to come on board, he said the Ministry had also engaged the services of a technical advisor to aid in the preparation and development of these sports and would be adding an aspect called “The Face of the Sports” this year, which will showcase senior athletes and their associated sport. (PR/GIS)

Sports

Orientation Held For National Anti-Doping Commission

An orientation meeting for the reconstituted National Anti-Doping Commission (NADC) and sub-committees was held at the Barbados Olympic Centre, Wildey, St. Michael, on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

The members were welcomed by the Secretary of the NADC, Patrina Bynoe, and introduced to Anti-Doping, by Chairman Dr. Adrian Lorde, and Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), Dr. Sasha Sutherland, who outlined the role of the Caribbean RADO.

Director of the National Sports Council, Neil Murrell, who recently returned from working as an International Doping Control Officer at the Paris Olympic Games, his third Olympic Games, gave an account of his anti-doping journey of excellence.

All members were presented with their instruments of appointment.

The National Anti-Doping Commission was established by the Government of Barbados in March 2000, with the objective of acting as the independent Anti-Doping Organization for Barbados.

The parent Ministry of the Commission is the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment. The NADC had been deemed compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency and is affiliated to the Barbados Olympic Association and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization.

The NADC provides educational opportunities for local athletes and their support personnel as well as testing in and out of competition in all sports recognised by the National Sports Council. (PR/GIS)

Sports

‘Get Fit Friday’ Is Back Tomorrow September 20

The Ministry of Heath and Wellness ‘Get Fit Friday is returning this Friday, September 20, in the car park of the National Insurance and Social Security Service, at Culloden Road, St. Michael, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Dubbed “Get Fit Friday 2.0”, the session, which was held for the first time in July, this year, will be hosted by Spinny. It is free of cost and is open to all members of the public. (PR/GIS)

Sports

CORNWALL BOWLS ROYALS INTO THE PLAYOFFS

DEFEATED THE ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS BY 9 WICKETS

Article by David Harris

Allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall starred with the ball as Barbados Royals defeated St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by nine wickets in the final match of the Barbados leg in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Kensington Oval on Tuesday night.

Cornwall, the Man of the Match captured five wickets for 15 runs four overs as the Patriots slipped from 38 for two wickets in the sixth over to 69 for eight runs after 13.2 overs, the burly off-spinner was supported by fast bowler Naveen ui-Haq who took three wickets for 16 runs.

Captain Andre Fletcher made 32 off 22 balls, but it took a gritty ninth wicket stand of 39 runs between Joshua Da Silva (25) and Anrich Nortje (22) to get the Patriots score past three figures. Eventually, the Patriots were bowled out for 110 in 19.1 overs.

Chasing 111 runs for victory the Royals rushed to 113 runs for one wicket in 11.2 overs, inform opener Quinton de Kock smashed 59 not out from 38 balls, the South African struck three fours and four sixes, Kadeem Alleyne scored a 25 from 15 balls, and Alick Athanaze was unbeaten on 22.

Earlier, the match was delayed due to a wet pitch, the Royals won the toss and opted to field. The Royals next match is against St Lucia Kings in Guyana on Saturday.