More than 4,500 seniors from 110 Active Ageing Centres (AACs) came together this September for the inaugural Seniors National Games (SNG), a new nationwide sporting event designed to promote health, camaraderie, and lifelong participation in sport.
Organised by Sport Singapore (SportSG) as an SG60 signature event, the SNG is part of the broader goal of “Building Our Singapore Together.” By featuring five adaptive sports, inclusive, modified activities tailored for seniors of varying abilities, the Games aim to break barriers around ageing and inspire participants to stay active, social, and engaged.
Five Adaptive Sports, One Shared Spirit
The Games featured five activities specially adapted to suit different mobility levels and encourage fun, teamwork, and skill:
- Boccia – A precision ball game where players aim to place their balls closest to a white target (jack).
- Disc Golf – A twist on golf, where discs are thrown towards a target with accessibility-focused rules.
- Ladder Toss – Players score points by landing bolas (two balls connected by string) onto ladder rungs.
- Seated Floorball – Teams play from a seated position using lightweight sticks, promoting teamwork and agility.
- Sport Stacking – Fast-paced stacking and unstacking of cups to build dexterity and coordination.
The Zonal Heats were held across Singapore’s North, South, East, West, and Central regions at the OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub from 8 to 12 September 2025. The top 15 teams per sport, the top three from each zone, will now advance to the National Finals on 4 October 2025 at Our Tampines Hub, held alongside the National Celebration of Seniors (NCOS) organised by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).
Inspiring Seniors to Stay Active
The introduction of the SNG comes at a time when senior sports participation has declined. Findings from the National Sports & Exercise Participation Survey (NSPS) show that weekly sports activity among seniors aged 60 and above dropped from 74% in 2022 to 67% in 2024. For women aged 65 and above, non-participation nearly doubled, rising from 18% to 32% in the same period.
By making sport more accessible and inclusive, the SNG seeks to challenge the perception that seniors are “too old” for physical activity. The competitive element also motivates participants to improve their agility, strategy, and technique, while fostering community spirit and friendships.
Experience the Games at NCOS
Beyond the Finals, the five adaptive sports will also be available for the public to try at Our Tampines Hub’s Community Auditorium on the afternoon of 4 October. This hands-on experience invites families and the wider community to celebrate active ageing alongside the senior athletes.
For more details, visit here.
