Hammanskraal gogos and mkhulus band together in sport
Residents say crime rates have decreased in the community as people all come together to watch the elders play.
Seniors in the north of Pretoria are keeping fit on the soccer field as part of the Regional Golden League.
The league was founded in 2018 to help keep seniors healthy playing soccer and has since grown bigger.
The league was founded in Hammanskraal and has become a game-changer in knitting the community closer through sports.
League treasurer Gladys Sebopa said the formation shifts the local seniors’ attention from age-related problems like sickness by keeping them active.
“We saw that seniors need to remain fit and healthy because as we grow older, we become vulnerable to illnesses.
As we keep practising and playing on the field, our blood pressure decreases and we also forget about our problems at home.”
She said the league has players aged 39 and older in eight teams from around Pretoria, including from Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve and Mabopane to name a few.
“We play for the league once a month in different townships so every weekday in the afternoon we practise.”
Caroline Mmamaloko (54) said getting on the field has helped her improve her health and she feels stronger and happier.
“Before playing soccer, my health was not good, I had high blood pressure and got sick too often but now I feel healthier.”
Patrick Ramashala said he has been playing football for over 20 years and every time, it makes him feel good.
“I become free and my heart becomes at ease when I play football. It makes me feel good about myself.”
The seniors have a lot of support from their communities, such that people come in numbers to watch the elders dribble the ball on the field.
Supporter Abel Masemola said the games hold communities together because people come together to watch their gogos and mkhulus (grandfathers) play soccer.
“The positivity that this initiative brings is so amazing, crime rates have dropped in our communities because everyone comes out to watch seniors play football.”
Sebopa appealed for sponsorship and donations for the league to continue recruiting players.
She said the teams need training equipment such as balls and soccer kits.
For more information, phone Gladys Sebopa on 079 594 7646.
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