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Target group A total of 7 000 people over the age of 60 took part in the Golden Games.Participants were mostly community members who were already active in service centres and clubs for the elderly throughout the Western Cape. Entries from both rural and urban areas were encouraged. Events A number of sports days were held in the six District Municipal Areas (Eden, Cape Winelands, Overberg, City of Cape Town, Central Karoo, West Coast) between March and May 2006. The top 620 competitors from these days went on to participate in the provincial event, which took place in Oudtshoorn from 29 September to 1 October 2006.Even though the games were competitive, the focus was firmly on fun, with events such as the egg-and-spoon relay, the duck walk and jukskei featuring alongside the 100m and 800m run. There were even frail events such as bowl-a-hole, ring toss and netball throw for those who weren't strong enough to compete in more rigorous activities but who still wanted to take part. Outcome The Golden Games provided an opportunity to recruit people for the many social and relief programmes the provincial Department of Social Development co-ordinates for the elderly. Since the Games took place, 45 clubs for older people have formed, at least 5 000 older people have been made aware of the programmes and services available to them, and co-operation between provincial and local government around services for the elderly have improved. In addition, the Games created jobs for 300 youth, who were employed to help run the Games, so also promoting integration between the young and old. Partners The Western Cape Golden Games was a project of the Provincial Department of Social Development in collaboration with Age in Action: Western Cape. |
