Kenya Holds Football Trials for Grandmothers After CHAN Exit

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.

Also Read: Kenya to Host AFCON 2027 Opening & Closing Events

Fighting Diseases

Kesses Player, Eunice Chepkoskei, aired a similar revelation stating that “We’re feeling good, we’ve released the pressure. Our legs are not hurting.

Agnes Tabitha, who plays for Nairobi, also explained how the training has helped the players fight various diseases and complications.

“Some of us had pressure, arthritis, depression and obesity. But this exercise has cured some, while others have reduced weight.”

Also Read: Millions Harambee Stars Bagged Despite Madagascar Loss in CHAN Quarters

Countering Opponents in Uganda

Esther Kogo, who is also a player, said she has dismissed critics who threatened that she would be injured.

Kogo argued that she has legs just like her opponents and vowed to injure them instead.

I play football really well, as you can see. Some people say my leg will be broken, but I’m telling them I’ll crush them instead.

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