SA to host first grannies international football tournament

The first-ever Grannies International Football Tournament [GIFT] will be hosted in South Africa from 26-29 March 2023.

The International tournament is for female older people over the age of 50 around the world and will be hosted at the Nkowa-nkowa Township in Limpopo.

20 teams, 13 International and seven South African teams will play across three days.

The tournament is organised by Beka Foundation, the founders of the Vakhegula-Vakhegula (Grannies) Football club in Nkowankowa.

Vakhegula-Vakhegula has been in existence since 2007. Over the years, the team has gained popularity in the country and been invited to different FIFA World tournaments before.

The other partners also include the Limpopo Sports Confederation and Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

“We have USA, Denmark, France, Zambia who have already booked their flights. Togo is also another nation that will also be here,” said Nkhensani Ntsanwisi from the Foundation.

“We have the Limpopo Sports Confederation as well as the department of sport, Arts and Culture who are supporting us and many sponsors that we are still engaging with.

“The stadium will be accessible for free so if anyone wants to come they will be welcome and it will also be during the school holidays so everyone is welcome since the matches will be played during the day,” she added.

MORE DETAILS OF THE TOURNAMENT

The first day of the tournament will comprise round-robin games with the 20 teams divided into five groups of four.

The matches will last for 40 minutes, 20 minutes in either half. The winning five teams on points from each of the five groups, along with 3 of the best runner-up teams will then move into the quarterfinal stages.

The semifinals and finals will take place on the final followed by the closing ceremony. The Winners will pocket R50 000 with the runner-up receiving R20 000.

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