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

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

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

Initially started as a way to stay healthy, this endeavor has transformed into something remarkable, leading the group of women to be on their way to South Africa.

The team known as 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 garnered nationwide recognition. This team comprises players aged between 52 and 75 years old, challenging perceptions about aging in sports and inspiring senior women within their neighborhoods to lead dynamic, fit lifestyles.

Team captain 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—we can now see the path ahead. Gradually, it's becoming clear that we are on track toward achieving greater success.

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 along with Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii and other officials attended an exhibition match to show their support.

"The tale of Mutei Grannies FC serves as motivation for people of all ages. Genuine winners are defined by their spirit rather than their years. Congratulations, and keep motivating the future cohort of sportspeople. With the squad getting 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 International Football Tournament (GIFT), organized by the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation, is scheduled for April in Limpopo, 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 her efforts towards empowerment by founding the Vakhegula Vakhegula ('Grannies Grannies') soccer 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 edition to mark the second installment of this competition.

Leveraging the achievements from 2023, GIFT is set to occur biennially and aims to become the premier international soccer competition for senior women globally. Its objectives include advocating for an active and healthy way of life, enhancing community bonding, and stimulating economic growth within the host region, as stated on their website.

The 2025 competition is scheduled to be held 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 intense yet continue to uphold a robust and friendly 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 a lifelong aspiration they never thought possible when dreaming about representing Kenya internationally. The Ministry’s backing demonstrates that age does not restrict one from showcasing their talents.

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