Game On: How Singapore's Seniors Are Redefining Active Ageing

Age is just a number, but the spirit of competition is timeless. This year, the inaugural Seniors  National Games (SNG) has redefined what it means to be active in our golden years, transforming  the playing field into a vibrant celebration of community, resilience, and joy. 

Organised by Sport Singapore as an SG60 signature event, SNG was created with a powerful goal:  to inspire seniors to lead better, healthier lives through sport. In a landscape where sport participation among those aged 60 and above is declining, the Games offer a revolutionary solution - adaptative sports. 

These five specially designed sports - Boccia, Disc Golf, Ladder Toss, Seated Floorball, and Sport Stacking - are not defined by intense physicality but by strategy, precision, and teamwork,  proving that sporting passion has no age limit or physical barrier. This initiative successfully rallied over 4,500 seniors from 110 Active Ageing Centres (AACs) to compete in the Zonal Heats, with the best advancing to the national finals. 

The journey culminated with the Finals at Our Tampines Hub on 4 October 2025, where the top  teams competed for the national title in a celebration held in conjunction with the National  Celebration of Seniors. 

As Mr. Marcus Tan, Chief, Sport Development Group, Sport Singapore, affirms, “The Seniors National Games is more than a competition.” It is a powerful antidote to isolation and a catalyst for  connection. 

Among the spirited participants in a nationwide call to play, five remarkable seniors stood out, not  just for their wins, but for their incredible heart. Meet Irene, Marimuthu, Ma, Oon, and Michael: the champions who are redefining what active ageing truly means. They are grandparents, friends, and  teammates who discovered that picking up a new sport can feel like turning back the clock. Their stories are not just about winning; they are about rediscovering a youthful spirit, and forging unbreakable bonds. Get ready to be inspired by their journeys, which are powerful testaments to what happens when we dare to play.

The Fighter: Finding Friendships and Motivation 

Mdm Irene Ho, 76, and Chairman Bee Xian, 72, of Tanjong Pagar AAC discovered a vibrant  community through NTUC Health’s Active Ageing Centre, leading them to take on the sport of Seated Floorball. 

“It is very exciting," says Irene, “Through playing together, we get to know each other better; it brings us closer and allows us to have fun together. And when we cheer together, we feel young again.” 

Their journey shows that staying active isn’t about intense training; to her, “it’s about having good and healthy companionship at AAC, being around with friends, and doing things together.” With just two weeks of practice, they found new goals and a renewed fighting spirit alongside friends.

Irene reflects, “Active ageing involves actively helping others, sharing knowledge, and connecting with different people.”

The Enthusiast: Rediscovering Joy Through Play 

For Mdm Marimuthu (76) and Mdm Azizah, staying active was the perfect remedy for loneliness after years as homemakers. They found a welcoming community at their nearby FRCS AAC in the West Zone, which led them to try their hands at Ladder Toss. 

Their inspiration? The one month of fun, hour-long practices, where they found a new lease on life. “Makes us feel young and competitive again….we may be seniors but we are young at heart. And it is inspiring to see other older folks still keeping up with being active.”  

Staying at home for an extended period often makes them become very introspective and they discover that an active life isn’t about intense competition; it’s about joy, friendship, and  challenging yourself in new ways, and Mdm Marimuthu enthusiastically added, “by staying active  and playing sports together, we can enjoy another stage of life outside the house.”

The Energiser: Proving Passion is Timeless 

For 62-year-old Mr. Ma, staying active was a quiet, solitary journey, until he found his team. At the SNM AAC North Zone, he discovered more than just a new sport; he found a band of new friends who shared his spirit. Together, they dared to dream big, training relentlessly 2-3 times a week for the Seniors National Games not as individuals, but as a single unit. 

Their dedication wasn’t just about consistent practice; it was about the laughter they shared, the bond they built, and the unwavering belief they had in each other. Their hard work paid off when they clinched the championship in Seated Floorball. It was a victory that was as much about camaraderie as it was about skill.

But for Mr. Ma, the real triumph was the feeling of belonging and youthful energy he experienced with his teammates. “When we were shouting that slogan together, I felt truly young,” he recalls, his voice alive with the memory. “It didn’t feel like we were in our sixties or seventies. Everyone felt like we were seventeen or eighteen again.”

In that camaraderie, Mr. Ma found a powerful truth: adaptive sports are not about the age on your ID, but the energy in your heart. It’s about the electric joy of connection and the magic that happens when you chase a goal, side-by-side.

The Independent Champion: Finding Strength Through Sports and Self reliance 

From the Care Corner in Toa Payoh, Mdm Oon, 77, proves that passion has no age limit. A lifelong  sport lover, she reignited her competitive spark through AAC, leading her to bag the Seated Floorball championship medal. 

The moment of victory was a symbol of independence and pride. Staying healthy, she says, isn’t just for herself, but for her family. “It makes me feel so positive, like I’ve gone back to being eighteen again. Good health is very important. When I stay healthy, my children don’t have to worry, and I  can remain independent … that matters a lot.” 

Beyond the competition, Mdm Oon found something even more valuable - friendship, laughter, and purpose. She now encourages other seniors to join in, no matter their age or ability. 

Her story is a reminder that staying active is not about youth. It's about choosing joy, community, and  self-belief, every single day.

The Strategist: Finding Purpose and Pride After Retirement 

Retiring for his granddaughter opened a new door for Mr. Michael Seah, 73. Through Allkin AAC in the East Zone, he discovered the strategic sport of Boccia, finding a perfect blend of mental challenge and teamwork that he never expected. 

His dedication to daily practice led to a deeply meaningful moment, with thunderous support from his family cheering him on. “I never imagined I would participate in a competition at this age,” Michael reflects. “It feels like an achievement and holds very deep significance for me.” 

His journey proves that an active life in retirement isn't just about trips or grandchildren. It can be about new challenges, mental sharpness, and the profound joy of personal accomplishment. 

Follow Mr. Seah’s inspiring example. Step out, find your activity, and discover a fulfilling new chapter waiting for you. Your greatest achievement could be just around the corner. 

Your next adventure awaits just around the corner. Don't let loneliness set in, follow the inspiring  examples of seniors who discovered new energy and friendship through active living. Take that first step, find your team, and connect with friends who will make you feel young again. Embrace a new goal,  get moving, and write your next chapter together. Your community is waiting to welcome you to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle where every day can feel like being eighteen again.