Gogos keep their eyes on the ball
The Batšofebatšofe Unlimited Football Club was recently formed in Flora Park to help keep retired elders healthy and fit through sport.
POLOKWANE – They practice every Wednesday and Friday since the club was founded in March by the soccer gogos themselves.
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Professional soccer coach, Evans Nkoana, recently came on board with the club, helping with the players’ training. “I saw the soccer team training at the Flora Park soccer field one day. As I watched them play I saw they were a dedicated soccer team despite their age. I also saw, however, they lacked proper skills and techniques which is why I decided to offer them my help as coach,” Evans said.
One of the players, Esther Nyoffu, told BONUS they appreciate Evans’ hard work and for noticing them as a hardworking elderly soccer team.
“We love and enjoy working with Evans. He is a very good soccer coach who is very patient with us and he knows how to treat people professionally,” another player, Joyce Sejeng, added.
Evans explained to BONUS that the older generation requires patience as they do not learn as fast as their younger counterparts.
“The older generation needs special training and techniques as their bones are more fragile than the younger generation. Playing soccer helps promote the fitness and health of the elderly players, reducing their risk of contracting lifestyle illnesses such as high blood pressure and heart attacks to name a few,” he said, adding because the elderly players are more prone to lose their balance, it is one of the areas he places special focus on during their training.
Evans said he enjoys coaching the Batšofebatšofe soccer team as they are a committed women’s soccer team, and even though he is a lot younger than the players, they respect him and his instruction as their coach. “They are very disciplined and always willing to learn which are some of the greatest parts of being their coach. I advise other elderly women to keep active at all times and not limit themselves as an individual, you never know what you’re good at until you try,” he said.
