Walking Football: Capetonians begin to favour new sport

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02:46

The football action may be heating up in Russia, but down in South Africa, the beautiful game is taking on a whole new meaning. Physical prowess and agility are being substituted with age and wisdom through Walking Football, a fairly new sport that's established itself in Cape Town. CGTN's Travers Andrews has this report.

Football is a game that is loved around the world, it's a sport that embodies youthful athleticism and a winning determination, but for these lot though, age is nothing but a number. They are players competing in one of Cape Town's weekly Walking Football matches, a game that focuses on the holistically and healthy benefits of the game, for those of the age of fifty.

RUDY ABRAHAMS WALKING FOOTBALL CO-FOUNDER "We play five and six aside, it's no contact, no high balls no off sides, we just play for fun, fitness and friendship, you come out, you see it as a workout, you enjoy yourself, you have a lot of fun, you have new camaraderie's, you build new friendships."

But don't be fooled by their age, they are as skilful as their younger versions playing the leagues and have special bonds not seen in the professional game, here everyone is winner. Walking Football has certainly taken the country by storm and while the foundations are born out of the Cape Town structure, other seniors want in as well.

SHAHEED ADAMS WALKING FOOTBALL CO-FOUNDER "We intend first growing the sport locally and then going nationally we looking at Kwazulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and Port Elizabeth, as well as Gauteng."

Even though the name suggest a somewhat snails like pace to the game, it's actually anything but that and the opportunity to gain healthy exercise has attracted the likes of those suffering with diabetes, high blood pressure and even triple heart bypasses.

TRAVERS ANDREWS CAPE TOWN "For some of these players, the sport has made great strides in helping them overcome some pretty serious health challengers."

"I've been diagnosed with Laryngeal cancer, which affects my voice, it affects my breathing and I was told to exercise a lot so walking football helps me exercise and helps me keep active and healthy."

"I have osteoarthritis in my left heap, tore my right Achilles, tore my right calf, completely gave up at the age of 50, gave up football, thought I'd never play football again, discovered walking football, it's just changed my life phenomenally, I play on average three times week, it's improved my strength and I've lost a lot of weight."

Not to be outdone by events in Russia, Cape Town Walking Football also held their own mini version of the World Cup, as a tribute to the beautiful game and in which everyone went home a winner. Travers Andrews, CGTN, Cape Town.