Sports

Senior Games Going Digital As Registration Starts April 14

Registration for the Barbados National Senior Games 2025 will open on Monday, April 14, with athletes now able to do so fully digital, for the first time.

This was disclosed by National Senior Games Coordinator, Ytannia Wiggins, last Wednesday, during a meeting at Harrison College to provide potential athletes and other stakeholders with information on how this event, also dubbed National Senior Games 2.1, would be structured, as it commemorates its 21st Anniversary.

The meeting was convened by the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, under whose aegis the National Senior Games falls.

The 2025 Games will comprise both competitive and recreational participation categories and will be held over a series of months. Whit Monday, June 9, will see the culmination of the track and field activities, being held for one day instead of two.

Ms. Wiggins said: “The team has embraced digital forms. While we used fillable PDFs last year, we’ve now created an online version with QR codes and shareable links – perfect for WhatsApp and other social channels. It’s currently being tested by our committee; it includes accessibility features, and provides instant registration confirmation while compiling our participant database – something that was requested by participants last year.”

Although the new method is digital, some seniors will still be able to submit hard copies of forms at specific locations. Explaining how this will be done, she stated: “At the Ministry, one of our key goals is building our relationship with BARP through capacity building and mutual support. This year, BARP will have registration forms available at their office and will welcome members to the Members’ Lounge, where they can get help filling them out. For those opting for the digital version, assistance will also be available. It’s about helping each other, sharing knowledge, and growing together as a community. Forms will also be available at various locations across the island.”

Ms. Wiggins added: “The registration forms will open on April 14 and will be available on the Games website. Our website is currently being updated to include key features such as registration, past statistics, social media links, and important updates. We welcome any feedback or suggestions as we continue to improve!”

National Senior Games 2.1 will officially launch on Saturday, May 24, with a motorcade in and around communities and end with a health and wellness fair, at Golden Square Freedom Park, The City.

The coordinator, noting that June 9, Whitsuntide Monday, has been designated as the marquee event under the Games, said the Committee’s goals were simple. “We want to look at improving participation across the communities, to strengthen partnerships and align with our national priorities on health, wellness, and inclusion. So, for us, National Senior Games 2.1 our 21st birthday is not just going to be a sporting event, we are looking at it as a national movement.

“That’s why we’ve realigned the Health and Wellness Fair – originally started in 2024 – to take place in September this year, in recognition of the Month of the Elderly. We’ll officially launch the event on May 24, with a motorcade, which will conclude in Golden Square,” she stated. (PR/GIS)

Sports

Over 200 Participants To Compete At Senior Games

To date, more than 200 participants have registered for the National Senior Games – 55 per cent are male and 45 per cent are female. They represent a wide cross-section of athletes from across the island, who will be competing in various disciplines during the 21st Anniversary of the Games.

According to the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs (MPEA), the top five parishes by registration are St. Michael (26 per cent); Christ Church (21 per cent); St. James (13 per cent); St. Philip (13 per cent) and St. George (12 per cent).

With respect to age categories, at the Masters’ level (40 – 49 years), 20 per cent have registered so far; at the Seniors’ level (50 – 69 years), 70 per cent have signed up, while for the Super Seniors (70+ years), 10 per cent have registered.

Registration will close on Tuesday, May 27.

Coordinator of the National Senior Games, Ytannia Wiggins, who said she was pleased with the response by athletes, noted that this year marks a milestone in digital engagement with the introduction of an accessible online registration system.

Of the initiative, she said: “The updated online process has made registration more efficient and has been warmly embraced by our seniors, many of whom leaned on their children and grandchildren for support, when it was needed. But overall, we’ve had little pushback to the use of digital forms.

“The form was also optimised for users with disabilities. Though physical forms were still available, fewer than five have been submitted via that method – which speaks volumes about how the community has adapted.”

The National Senior Games aligns with the Ministry’s Active Aging Policy, promoting wellness, inclusion, and community pride through sport.

Persons attending the Games are reminded that in addition to the official launch and motorcade to Golden Square Freedom Park on May 24, other upcoming events include field events at Queen’s College on May 31; the Road Race /Walk /Cycling on the Mighty Grynner Highway on June 1, and the Track & Field Meet at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex on June 9. (PR/GIS)

Sports

HAYLEY PREPARES ENGLAND TOUR

Preparation for international matches that will take place in England later this month

By David Harris

Captain of the West Indies’ Women’s team Hayley Matthews began preparing for the regional side tour to England by making an unexpected appearance for her local club ESAF Pickwick against the SigniaGlobe Financial BCA Youth team in the third series of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite Division over the weekend.

The West Indies are schedule to three T20 International matches (T20Is) and three One Day International matches (ODIs) when they tour England from May 18 to June 7.

It is rare for female cricketers to play with their male counterparts in the top-tier of the BCA’ s competitions. Matthews is the first woman to play in the Elite Division; the first occasion a female took part in the top-tier of a BCA’s competition was in 2013 when Shaquana Quintyne represented YMPC against Banks and the Barbados Defense Force Program.

On the first day of the match (Saturday) Matthews was bowled by left-arm pacer Jakeem Pollard for two runs as Pickwick were dismissed for a meager 62 runs in their first innings. When the BCA Youth batted Matthews bowled four overs for 10 runs and picked up the wicket of Damani Roach, the number 10 batsman with her off-spin.

Yesterday, Pickwick were in dire straits at 12 runs for two wickets in their second innings in reply to BCA Youth’s total of 177 when Matthews came to crease and scored 60 magnificent runs. Her 50 came from 59 balls in 89 minutes and contained nine delightful fours.

She shared a third wicket partnership of 122 with Pickwick’s captain Rohan Ryan (67), at the tea break Matthews was 60, and the sprinkling of spectators at the Lester Vaughan School Ground, Cane Garden, St Thomas were hoping that her gem on an innings would continue after the interval.

But that was not to be Matthews was trapped lbw by Pollard with the first ball after tea, she faced 71 balls and struck 11 fours to help Pickwick score 256 in their second innings.

Chasing 141 runs to win the match, BCA Youth were 25 runs for two wickets. The match continues next Saturday.

Several persons were questioning on social media over the weekend why Matthews was playing for Pickwick instead of representing Barbados in the regional T20 Blaze which is taking place in St Vincent.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday evening, Matthews explained that she is taking a break from regional cricket and took the opportunity to use the match to prepare for the West Indies’ trip to England.

“I am taking a break from regional cricket ahead of the West Indies tour to England to give any niggling injuries I have a chance to heal, but at the same time I still preparing for the West Indies tour to England which start in a couple of weeks by participating in this match against Barbados Youth”, Matthews explained.

Sports

REGIONAL TABLE TENNIS YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ENDS

by David Harris

The curtain came down on the 28^th the Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Youth Championships at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex last weekend; the tournament was a pathway for players to qualify for the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games which will be held in Argentina from August 9 to 23.

With powerhouse teams from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba taking part in the Championships, the competition was dominated by the Spanish speaking countries. Out of 14 finals, only two featured competitors from the English-speaking Caribbean.

Barbados’ sole medal in the Championships, a bronze was won when the Boys’ Under-15 team of Maleeq Aimey, Mdjai Collymore, Ajani Gittens, and Scott Galbraith defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 3-2 in a tense and exciting group-stage match; the podium finish earned the team a place at the Junior Pan American Games.

“The highlight of the Championship for Barbados was the bronze medal won by the Under-15 Boys team. In the singles and doubles events, several players advanced from their groups. That was very satisfying but it was disappointing that they did not come closer to winning at least a bronze medal in those events”, Philip Hackett manager of the team told Advo Magazine.

“We are in the process of launching a high- level program for our juniors as we committed to putting in the necessary work to lift the standard of the sport. Therefore, the inclusion of 10-year-old Scott Galbraith in the boy’s Under-15 team was an investment for the future. The selection of seven-year-old Jakaila Hoyte who competed in the Under-15 singles was also an investment in the future; she won the admiration of the fans for her fearless effort”, Hackett added.