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Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett (FP)

Friendly competition and a display of fitness was the order of the day as the National Senior Games’ track and field meet and cycling finals unfolded at the National Stadium, last Saturday.

Two hundred and eighty six of this island’s seniors competed in a variety of events, ranging from the 50 metres to the 3000 metres race, in addition to field events such as the shot put, high jump and long jump before a stadium filled with family members, Government officials, and supporters.

Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett, delivered the welcome remarks at the event and deemed the games as "an opportunity for us to demonstrate our skills and capacities and to celebrate the fullness of the human spirit".

He noted that while some athletes were focused on reaching the standard required to compete in the Huntsman Games in Utah, others saw the annual affair as an opportunity to "indulge in friendly engagement and to have a good time".

Pointing out that the event, now in its 11th year, was established to promote the Ministry’s active ageing policy, Minister Blackett stated that "today’s older adults are redefining ageing.?? Whether they are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s or beyond, many individuals are defying negative stereotypes of ageing and showing that they have the ability to engage life to the fullest."

Saturday’s affair culminated the National Senior Games 2012, which comprised a five kilometre road race, netball, tennis, table tennis and archery.

sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb

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