Game on, golden oldies
Six elderly sportsmen and women battled it out at the Golden Games and took home winning medals.
Getting older? No worries, these senior citizens prove age is not an obstacle if you want to run 800 metres in a few minutes.
Six athletes over the age of 60 recently took part in the annual National Golden Games for Elder Persons in Kimberley.
Charles Dibedi took part in the 70 years and older division and ran across the 400 metre track, straight into first place. His teammates from the Kagiso Centre for the Care of the Aged, followed in his footsteps and brought home first, second, third and fourth place medals in their various age categories.
“I feel no different from when I was younger, because I can still run very fast,” Charles said.
The games, which is a product of the Department of Social Development and the Active Aging Initiative, allow for these active elders to compete at a national level and better their skills. The team has been training hard at the Kagiso Sports Stadium. One of the athletes, Dipuo Manako also teaches aerobics classes.
Charles often runs along the R28 between Randfontein and Krugersdorp for some extra exercise.
“If I don’t run for a day, it feels strange,” he said.
He and his teammates, Bella Sekele, Dipuo, Jospeh Kgang, Florah Munjedzi and Fanie Molokele urge other elderly athletes to join them at the centre and to keep on living like age really is only a number.
Also read:
• Sweet tap by bejaardes se interhuis
• Leerlinge sing, dans en vermaak bejaardes
