Barbados’ annual National Senior Games has undergone a transformative expansion this year, growing to include 25 distinct sporting disciplines while placing unprecedented focus on welcoming older adults with disabilities into competitive and recreational activity. Now in its fourth week of a month-long schedule launched in August, the event has already drawn widespread acclaim for its accessible, community-centered structure, according to Ytannia Wiggins, sports adviser for the games under the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.
Wiggins called the 202X iteration of the games an exceptional success so far, noting that early competitions including tennis have already wrapped up, while dominoes has remained a constant, ongoing activity throughout the event. The fourth week of the schedule stands out as one of the busiest, with new competitions like hockey kicking off alongside 3×3 basketball and netball finals hosted at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Among the most anticipated upcoming events is the marquee track and field program, with field events set to take place September 19 at Harrison College, and track competitions scheduled for September 26 at the renowned Usain Bolt Sports Complex. A 5K open walk and run will also be held along the Mighty Grynner Highway on September 20, giving casual participants of all ability levels a chance to join in. The entire month of programming will conclude October 1 at Barbados Community College with an active living festival, timed to coincide with the annual International Day of Older Persons. Wiggins describes the event as a “senior Olympics,” where older adults can try any sport that sparks their interest.
The expansion of accessible programming stems from the ministry’s recognition that diverse segments of the older adult community, including those with disabilities, deserve equal opportunities to engage in recreational sports, Wiggins explained. Key inclusive events this year include a celebrity blind cricket match at Briar Hall, alongside blind dominoes and adaptive walking netball. Speaking at the Sunday blind cricket match, Wiggins noted that the sport was selected because it already has an established, enthusiastic base in Barbados, and used the opportunity to reiterate a core message of the games: “disability is not inability.”
Beyond accessibility, the games also prioritize getting activity out into local communities and encouraging older adults to maintain active, healthy lifestyles as they age. Kamal Clarke, managing coordinator of the games, added that the inclusive blind cricket day was designed to bring together three groups—children, older adults, and people with disabilities—for shared recreation. Before taking the field, celebrity participants received training on the rules and adapted play of blind cricket to ensure they could compete alongside disabled community members.
More than 50 people with disabilities took part in the day’s activities, which also included outdoor adaptive simulations, open domino play, and a demonstration of blind domino rules hosted by the National United Society of the Blind. Clarke closed by urging Barbadians of all eligible ages and ability levels to join the ongoing games, emphasizing that the event is designed to be a season of joy, connection, and activity focused on supporting long, high-quality lives for all older adults.