The Jericho Grannys Football Team was crowned champions of the inaugural Edwin Kuria Makadara Grannys Football tournament after edging out Bahamas Grannys 1-0 in the one-day special tournament played at Camp Toyoyo Soccer Stadium in Makadara constituency.
Sponsored by the incoming Makadara Member of Parliament Edwin Kuria, the tournament kicked off, Friday Morning at Camp Toyoyo which was filled with energic and enthusiastic women aged above 50 years puting their best foot forward in exciting football duels.
All the participating reams walked away with cash prizes, playing kits and footballs.
An atmosphere of excitement and purpose filled Camp Toyoyo as high-energy football action marked the launch of the inaugural Football Tournament in Makadara.
Grannys football teams drawn from all the four wards of Makadara constituency battled it out for the ultimate prize in a day of special footbaling action that was aimed at not only empowering the elderly mothers, but as well, build community by fostering unity by celebrating mothers who are the heroines of the society.
Beyond competition, the tournament was a celebration of empowerment. It highlighted the strength of elderly women while fostering community cohesion through sport. It is a reminder that passion and purpose know no age.
In the last semi final pitting Jericho Grannys against Hamza Grannys, the stadium was treated to a dramatic lengthy penalty shootout wich ended 2-1 in favor of Jericho Grannys. The ladies had earlier plated out a goalless draw. The first semi final betweeen Shinning Grannys and Bahamas Grannys ended with a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the Bahamas side.
According to Kuria, the tournament was aimed at helping the grannys in Makadara engage in a healthy competition which improves their physical and mental health as well as develop a uniting spirit, strength and solidarity as a core fabric to development in society.
“Today we have chosen to give our unsung heroines, the grand mothers, a chance to express themselves through sports. By coming together to play in the tournament, they compete and at the end of the day, they not only benefit from a healthy exercise to boost their health but to also help then in mental health issues,” Kuria said.
“This event stand out as a powerful tribute to mothers—the pillars and unsung heroines of society. Teams composed entirely of grannies from all four wards of Makadara Constituency took to the field, showcasing not just skill, but resilience, unity, and enduring spirit,” Kuria noted.
The participants were also taken through counselling by a team from our partners Alpha Foundation topics like good health practices, proper dietary living and social integration in society. At the end of the day, fostering unity, developing a uniting spirit, strength and solidarity as a core fabric to development in society was our main goal.
Kuria, a Board Member of Sports Kenya, has called congratulated all the Grannys Football Teams in Makadara who took initiative to participate in this tournament congratulating their fighting spirit to champion for women empowerment and transformation of Makadara.
Kuria is well known for championing for the plight of women by supporting women in sports. Last year, Kuria- through his sports entrepreneurial company Africa Sportive Talang- in partnership with Russian Non Governmental Organisation Path to Russia organised a sports day for vulnerable women in society at an event held at Uhuru Sports Complex.
Kuria, who is running for the position of Makadara Membernof Parliament has been active in empowering the residents of Makadara constituency using sports as a way of empowerment.
He emphasized that the initiative reflects a commitment to inclusive development—one that recognizes and uplifts every generation within the community.