If the determination to participate in sport, more especially soccer, displayed by the elderly in Vhembe is anything to go by, a new elderly soccer league could be in the offing in the area.

This became evident when  hundreds of the elderly, some with their walking sticks, filled the Mutoti sports ground to watch soccer games last Wednesday.

This was during a tournament where 13 teams from different parts of the district played each other for no prizes at all, but for the love of the sport. Teams from as far as Waterval in the Makhado municipality participated.

The convener of the games, Ms Emily Baloyi, said it was out of boredom that they started the games. “The elderly are neglected. We have sports for other groups of people, but the government is not doing anything for us as elderly people. Keeping ourselves active is the best medicine for illnesses that affect us,” she said.

Baloyi said that plans were afoot for a new elderly people’s soccer league which is envisaged to kick off in the new year. “This is just spade work and a foundation to see if this could materialise. By the look of things, the future looks bright for the elderly in this area,” she added.

The host, Mr Elias Mahafha, said they had invited government so that they could see what they are doing. “We would like to see them assisting us when the league kicks off next year. Without their help, we would not be able to run it,” he said.

Cllr Fulufhelo Mutheiwana of Ward 19 said it was an honour for her for the tournament to be hosted in her yard. “The elderly are doing a good thing. Being active can help stave off ill health. With diseases such as diabetes, cancer, strokes and heart diseases so prevalent, this could work to their advantage,” she said.

Mutheiwana encouraged others to also participate in sport.

“We have the newly completed Tshilivho-Makhuvha Stadium, which should be utilized by all in the community, otherwise it would be a white elephant with no one using it,” she said.

Music used in the video:

Bouge ton popotin (Dr Sakis) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0