Grannies to step out in new soccer kit

THE older women’s soccer team, Mafarana Gogos received a brand new soccer kit from Utility Management Services (UMS) in Tzaneen last Wednesday.

The donation was made after the debt collection company was approached to help the soccer playing grannies.

UMS executive manager for stakeholder relations, Simon Raphalane said the donation was in response to the social needs of the communities in areas which the company is doing business in.

He said last year the company donated to three local soccer teams namely Ntsako Mayihlome, Lenyenye Arsenal and Barcelona Football Club.

Team leader, Merriam Mushwana (81), thanked UMS for responding positively to the team’s request for a soccer kit donation. Mushwana said the team was established in 2004 by a group of older women with the aim of keeping fit.

The team currently has 52 members aged between 50 and 90 years old.

“We hold regular training sessions and play friendly games once or twice a month,” said Mushwana.

The grannies said before they started playing soccer most of them were suffering from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.

“Most of us have become healthier since we started exercising by playing soccer,” said Mushwana.

She added that the team has travelled as far as Giyani, Polokwane and Thohoyandou to play against their counterparts.

Councillor Cassius Machimane said the donation by UMS will encourage the grannies to continue playing soccer.

He thanked UMS for playing a part in the social upliftment of the community.