Several former professional players are taking part including 83-year-old Mutsuhiko Nomura, who played for Hitachi FC (now Kashiwa Reysol) in the 1960s and 70s and was even named Japanese Footballer of the Year in 1972 before retiring three years later.
“When I was a kid, men in their 50s and 60s were considered ‘grandpas,'” Nomura told Reuters following a SFL practice match in February. “And now, we’re all still at it in our 80s. It’s shocking.”
⚽ Mutsuhiko Nomura’s soccer career has spanned 18 World Cups, or 70 years, to be exact. Now the silver-maned former Japanese national team player is a member of the brand new over-80 division of Tokyo’s ‘Soccer For Life’ (SFL) league https://t.co/CDljY3WxHg via @reuterspictures pic.twitter.com/DPNnKV8pZa
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 20, 2023
The oldest player taking part is 93-year-old White Bears goalkeeper Shingo Shiozawa, who used to design sports cars for a living as a younger man. Shiozawa credits his revived amateur football career with helping him to quit smoking.
“It must be 30 years since I was the goalkeeper in a match,” Shiozawa told CNA. “I played in other positions but they were a lot more painful than being a goalkeeper!”
Of course, “King Kazu” may yet make his debut in the Tokyo SFL Over-80s league but he’ll have to wait until the 2047 season kicks off before he’s ready to make to step up to join the seniors.
Information from Reuters was used in this report
