Joska Grannies FC from Machakos County were crowned the winners of the ‘Kick for Health’ Grannies Tournament Molo Edition at the Molo Stadium after thrashing Tugumoi Grannies FC from Elgeyo Marakwet 7-0 in a thrilling encounter.
The tournament, which targets to address health issues including hypertension, blood sugar, arteritis and depression among elderly members of the society, attracted at least 35 teams from 15 counties.
The grannies lauded the initiative noting that through this sport, many have acquired good health and social status as they can reignite their youthful life at old age.
Speaking to the press at Molo Stadium after the award ceremony, Joska FC Captain Lucy Kathuria said the grannies’ sports have helped many women in the society who were battling with various ailments to regain their fitness, besides being used as an avenue for empowerment, as the groups have introduced activities like table banking and savings.
“I must thank the brain behind this big dream. Many women who were left hopeless in the society and struggling with main ailments are now busy kicking the ball with eagerness and enthusiasm as if they are at their prime age,” noted Kathuria.
The sentiment was echoed by Martha Waema and Nancy Geumi from Kapyanga grannies from Molo saying the tournament has helped them to get new networks in business besides their body fitness.
“This grannie tournament has helped many grannies get new networks, opening up their business opportunities and also helping them keep fit, as they can now handle depression since they don’t operate in isolation,” said Gaumi captain Kapyanga of Grannies FC.
Molo Member of Parliament, Kuria Kimani, who graces the occasion as the Chief Guest, lauded the initiative, terming it a game changer towards addressing health issues in the society as this sport will help them save money they wasted on medication daily by redirecting the same funds on investment.
“I am glad to see an 84-year-old grannie kicking the ball yet most youths waste a lot of their time on internet not on constructive use but on hate speech and blackmail,” said Kuria.
This legislator warned youths against drugs and divisive politics on tribal affiliation noting that they will ruin their future.
“The youth of this nation must rethink and redirect their energy to sports, which is a multibillion-dollar industry which can transform anyone in the blink of an eye,” said Kuria.
“We must do health politics and learn from the sports which unite all irrespective of age, gender or tribal affiliation,” he added.
Daraje grannies’ captain Irine Terreni noted that as women from Baringo County, they are using the grannies tournament to sensitise the community against banditry activities which had left many homeless.
Daraje FC from Baringo beat Nakuru grannies 1-0 , with the Kauyanga super grannies from Molo securing victory with same margin against Oleleshwoi grannies from Narok County.
Other teams came from Nairobi, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nandi, Bometi, just to mention a few.
By Absalom Namwalo
