About 825 Older Persons from the Community Based Facilities in Service Centres, Luncheon Clubs and Sport hubs were selected to be part of Team Gauteng to represent the Province in the National Games in October.
The provincial games, aimed at raising awareness on services and programmes on empowering older persons, were hosted last Friday at Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Tshwane.
Speaking to the participants City of Tshwane Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Sakkie Du Plooy encourage senior athletes to represent Gauteng well in the National Games and stay as active as possible. "Much appreciation to the Department of Social Development for hosting these annual games that will ensure that our senior citizens live longer".
Active Ageing Program aims to extend a healthy life expectancy and is a strategy to improve the quality of life as well as to prevent or delay disabilities or chronic diseases that are costly to individuals, families and the health care system.
Research has proven that regular physical exercises are associated with the reduced risk of chronic diseases like, Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart diseases and Depression. Physical activities also help Older Persons in maintaining the functional independence and mobility.
The Golden Games were adopted as a vehicle to promote the active ageing programme and are part of the implementation of the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing as well as other pieces of legislation that impact on the wellbeing of Older Persons. The Games were initially initiated in the Western Cape by the Department of Social Development in 2006 and were branded as a reputable active ageing programme.