Just finished the World Senior Racquetball Tournament in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

With just shy of 190 players a lot of racquetball was played the week before Labor Day.

You can be as young as 35 and play in this tournament. But it’s not the “youthful” players I’ll tell you about, it’s the oldsters.

A couple ninety-year-old men played as well as a few in their late eighties. And, yes, they did play. They did not hobble around the court. They ran to get the balls and returned them to their opponents with the skill that comes from playing for years.

The women topped off in the late seventies. They were athletic and fun to watch as they boogied around the court.

This event has been around for 32 years, held every year the week before Labor Day.

One player has participated every year since the beginning.

The event raises funds for the International Racquetball Foundation.

The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) was formed in 1979 with 13 National Racquetball Federations across four continents before quickly expanding to over 70 countries.

The IRF was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1985, one of the youngest sports ever to receive this recognition.

Racquetball was one of the charter members of the World Games first held in 1981.

It has been included in five IOC-Recognized Continental Games, including the Pan American Games, since 1995.

Since 1989, the World Senior Racquetball Council has used silent and verbal auctions to help raise over $400,000 for the IRF Development Fund.

Monies are used to underwrite training and travel expenses for athletes of qualifying nations and for the development of an elite officiating corps.

Why don’t you plan on being at the 33^rd World Senior Racquetball Tournament in 2017 in Albuquerque?

Lots of racquetball, great camaraderie, and more!