Kenya has started football trials for elderly women ahead of the Grannies football tournament in Uganda after the men’s national team was eliminated from the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
On Saturday, August 23, hundreds of grannies gathered in Iten, Uasin Gishu county, for a soccer match competition to select a team to represent Kenya in the competition.
The tournament brought together over 70 teams of elderly people, 80 per cent of them women, to not only compete but also to socialize.
KGFF President Elizabeth Keitany said the movement aims to bring the elderly together through soccer for the sake of their health, and the initiative is paying off.
We are standing for the five pillars. The first one is health and wellness. When they come here and play, they strengthen their bodies and are healthy. Secondly, it’s a conflict resolution. People disagree over small things, but when they come together, they play together, and the importance of socialising comes to the forefront.
The Granny Soccer Train already has 255 teams on board across the country.
The players are sharpening their skills through the tournament, which is expected to produce two teams that will represent the country in the Heroes League in Uganda next month.
Grannies Using Football to Fight Body Pains
Speaking to the media, the grandmothers said they have taken up soccer as an antidote to age-related diseases and are keeping their bodies and spirits strong.
Leah Manywa, a Nakuru player, noted that most of the grannies participating in the tournament are in good health.
Manywa stated that she has been a good defender and no longer feels body pains thanks to the exercise from the football team.
We have been playing and now we are in good health. I used to feel pain in my legs, but when we started exercising, I became a good defender.
Edwin Hinda is a versatile and creative journalist with a keen interest in politics, sports, education, international affairs, entertainment, and soft content. With a degree in Communication and Media Technology (Print Option) with IT from Maseno University, Edwin brings a well-rounded academic background to his work. He excels in conducting thorough interviews and in-depth research, ensuring that his stories are both informative and engaging. He can be reached at [email protected]
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