SENIORS GOT GAMES
The National Games are expected to bring up to 12,000 athletes and $36 million into ABQ during June 2019
The National Senior Games will be coming to ABQ next year, and organizers expect athletes and other visitors to spend up to $36 million during the 12-day event.
The National Senior Games, expected to be one of the largest sporting events in New Mexico history, will take place June 14-25, 2019, in Albuquerque. The National Senior Games is not to be confused with the New Mexico Senior Olympics, which Albuquerque will put on this summer, from July 18 to 22.
Nor is the National Senior Games to be confused with the National Veterans Golden Age Games, which run Aug. 3-8, for the first time in Albuquerque.
So what makes the National Senior Games so special? For one, the National Senior Games is held every two years in a different state. Last year, Birmingham, Ala., played host.
There are similarities among these three summer games. All three require competing athletes to be 50 or over. And those entering one or more events, must qualify.
How did all this come about? In 2015, a sixmember leadership team from the National Senior Games Association, based in Clearwater, Fla., traveled to Albuquerque and stayed a week. The group toured the city and was impressed by the prospective venues. After a few months of deliberations, the National Senior Games Association chose Albuquerque to be the host city for the 2019 Games.
“Having the Games here will be a real economic boon for Albuquerque that should total approximately $36 million,” said Jorja ArmijoBrasher, the executive interagency liaison for the games. Before that, she worked for the city’s Department of Senior Affairs.
“The National Senior Games is expected to bring 10,000-12,000 athletes to Albuquerque,” said Hazel Tull-Leach, executive director of the 2019 Games. Tull-Leach played basketball at Texas Tech and served as an assistant coach on the UNM women’s basketball team.
“The National Senior Games will have a positive impact on the entire state,” Tull-Leach said. A torch run will go through 70 communities across New Mexico. The run will culminate with a flame arrival ceremony on June 15 at Civic Plaza. The flame will burn for the 12 days of the 2019 Games.
According to Tull-Leach, at least 3,000 volunteers will be needed. “The entire state is encouraged to join in the games—as a volunteer or fan. The games will be free for spectators.