Women in the rural Kenyan village of Maiani have formed a soccer team to advocate for a global tournament for older women.
The Maiani Soccer Grannies represent a shift in how aging and athletics are viewed in rural communities, challenging the notion that competitive sports are reserved for the young.
Led by chairlady Juliana Mulandi, the group consists of women between the ages of 50 and 80 [1]. The participants gather regularly to play soccer, using the sport as a tool to maintain physical health and foster community bonds among the village's elderly population.
Beyond the local health benefits, the team is using its platform to call for international recognition of senior women's athletics. The group aims to demonstrate that soccer is a sport for all ages, regardless of a player's stage in life.
Mulandi said, "We are hoping, as women, that one day we will have a World Cup for grannies."
The team's activities in Maiani serve as a grassroots movement to bring visibility to older women who remain active. By organizing as a formal team, the women seek to inspire other seniors to engage in physical activity while pushing global sports governing bodies to create inclusive competitions.
While the group focuses on the joy of the game and community support, their primary goal remains the establishment of a dedicated world stage for women of their generation. They believe such a tournament would validate the athletic capabilities of older women globally.
“We are hoping, as women, that one day we will have a World Cup for grannies.”
The emergence of the Maiani Soccer Grannies highlights a growing global trend of 'active aging,' where elderly populations reject traditional sedentary retirement in favor of organized sports. By lobbying for a World Cup, the group is not just seeking a trophy, but is challenging the systemic ageism inherent in professional sports structures that typically lack pathways for athletes over 50.
