Mutei Grannies FC: Kenya’s Football Grandmas Head to South Africa Tournament

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  Mutei FC, a team of elderly female footballers from the North Rift, is set to travel to South Africa for the Mama Beka GIFT tournament.
  
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  The club, consisting of women aged between 52 and 75 years, gained support from the government via the Ministry of Sports.
  
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  The GIFT tournament made its debut two years ago and is one of the ventures initiated by Beka Ntsanwisi, who is a former South African media figure.
  

A soccer team consisting of grandmothers from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties will represent their nation at an international competition next month.

Initially started as a way to stay healthy, this endeavor has blossomed into an extraordinary journey for the group of women who are now all set to travel to South Africa.

The team named Mutei FC has been invited to participate in the Beka tournament in South Africa between April 2 and April 5.

Ever since they were established last year, the football grannies have grabbed nationwide attention. This team comprises players aged between 52 and 75 years old, reshaping perceptions around aging in sports and inspiring elderly women within their neighborhoods to lead dynamic, fit lifestyles.

Team leader Gertrude Kipyegon mentions that initiating the process was challenging, but they are currently moving in the correct direction.

A lot of people were skeptical when we began our training, dismissing it as a waste of time. However, we are grateful to God—as now we can see the path ahead. We are gradually realizing that we are on track towards achieving even loftier goals.

Government to Support Kenya’s Soccer Grandmothers

The government has subsequently intervened and pledged to back the club during their forthcoming journey. On Friday, Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum accompanied Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii and other officials to observe an exhibition game.

“The tale of Mutei Grannies FC inspires everyone across the ages. Genuine champions aren’t defined by years but by spirit. Congrats and keep motivating future sportsmen and sportswomen. As this squad gets ready for their forthcoming match in South Africa, the administration pledges to support their involvement,” stated Tum.

In which soccer tournament will the granny players compete?

The Granny’s Global Soccer Competition, known as GIFT and organized by the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation, is scheduled for April in Limpopo, which is located in northern South Africa.

The concept was conceived by Beka Ntsanwisi, a South African philanthropist and ex-radio host.

Her journey into football started under somber circumstances when she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003. Leveraging her standing within the community, she channeled this strength to inspire others by founding the Vakhegula Vakhegula (‘Grannies Grannies’) football team.

The squad competed in numerous invitation-only competitions across various nations prior to Mama Beka organizing the inaugural event in South Africa in 2023. That initial tournament featured 16 participating teams, with plans for the 2025 competition to mark the second installment of this series.

“Expanding on the achievements from 2023, GIFT will now take place biennially and aims to become the premier international soccer competition for senior women globally. Its objectives include advocating for an active lifestyle, enhancing community unity, and stimulating economic growth within the host region,” as stated on their website.

The 2025 competition is scheduled from April 2nd through April 5th in Limpopo and will include 32 teams representing various countries worldwide. We anticipate that this event will grow more fiercely contested yet continue to uphold a robustly positive atmosphere.

Kenya’s squad will consist of 22 athletes and eight officials. Team patron Elizabeth Keitany expressed gratitude to the government for their backing.

We never expected this level of growth within our communities. For many players, traveling to South Africa is an unrealized aspiration they never thought possible as representatives of Kenya overseas. The backing from the Ministry underscores that talent knows no bounds when it comes to age.

The most senior player on the team is 75-year-old Rebecca Cheboi.