Walking Football 4Health Namibia (WF4HN) is preparing to take part in a Walking Football 4Health tournament in Cape Town in November.
People from other towns like Oshakati, Walvis Bay, Rundu, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz and Rehoboth are also interested to start walking football in their communities.
Walking Football 4Health Namibia has been operational in Windhoek at the Khomasdal Community Hall since July.
The purpose of this sport code is to give men aged 50 and above and women aged 40 and above the opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle, not just physically, but also mentally and psychologically on the walking football field.
“We have indoor practice sessions every Monday and Thursday from 18h00 to 20h00 at the Khomasdal Community Hall, while games are being played every Saturday from 09h00 to 11h00 at the Special Olympics Stadium in Katutura,” WF4HN said.
Walking football, a phenomenon from overseas that was founded in 2017, is the fastest-growing sport in South Africa. England alone has some 800 clubs and it has been successfully piloted in several Australian states over the past 12 months.
“We are particularly excited by the opportunity this programme will bring for our Namibian communities, as walking football offers a great low-impact, team-based exercise, providing physical and mental health benefits and social connectedness and fellowship for older Namibians.
“It reinforces football as the sport that everyone can play regardless of ability or whether you’re aged 50 or over 75,” the movement said.
More details of the Walking Football 4Health National programme, including the intention to establish walking football clubs, and ultimately the Walking Football 4Health Namibia National League, will be made public in the coming weeks.
“As we all get older, the opportunities to keep fit decrease and are often limited to isolated activity. Walking football allows ladies over 40 and men over 50 to play a competitive sport in a more sociable, healthy and safe environment,” WF4HN said.
The rules are simple, like seven-a-side, except if you run or tackle, you concede a free kick.
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