By Sitha Maliwa:
A historic South African women’s football team is set to take centre stage at the 2026 Gay Games in Valencia, Spain, using sport as a platform for visibility, inclusion and social change.
Competing under the banner of SA YAG Games, the 25-player squad brings together two generations of players: veterans from the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago- where they secured a bronze medal – and former Banyana Banyana internationals, including Portia Modise, Pinkie Majekane and Phumla Masuku.
The team, South Africa’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ women’s football side, will compete in the 11-a-side Division 1 tournament this June.
Team representative Phuti Matlou said the initiative goes beyond football.
“YAG stands for GAY. We are using sport as a platform to open doors for LGBTQI+ people who have been marginalised. This is about building confidence and creating opportunities,” she said.
The squad’s journey reflects both progress and ongoing challenges in South African sport. While the country’s Constitution guarantees equality, many players say discrimination and exclusion remain part of their lived reality, particularly in township communities where several team members began their football careers.
For players who travelled to the 2006 Gay Games, the experience was transformative.
“It was the first time we played without fear or judgment,” Matlou said. “We brought home bronze, but more importantly, we experienced freedom. This time, we are aiming higher.”
Supporting the team is the Muholi Art Institute, founded by acclaimed visual activist Zanele Muholi. The institute is assisting with logistics, coordination and documentation of the team’s journey through photography and film.
Muholi, who also documented the team during the 2006 Games, said the current campaign is about preserving an important chapter of South Africa’s social and sporting history.
“This is not just a sport. It is a living archive of Black LGBTQ+ lives and experiences,” Muholi said.
Despite the momentum, financial constraints remain a significant hurdle. Many players are unemployed and rely on shared transport and limited resources to attend training sessions. The team is seeking funding for travel, accommodation, visas and equipment to ensure all 25 players can participate.
Matlou called on potential sponsors to play a meaningful role.
“We are looking for partners who want to contribute to real transformation, not just visibility. This is about building a legacy for future generations of queer athletes,” she said.
Looking ahead, SA YAG Games plans to host Gauteng’s first local Gay Games in 2027, alongside community outreach initiatives including youth clinics and inclusion programmes.
For Modise, the significance of the Games extends beyond competition.
“The Gay Games are about unity and belonging. Through sport, we show that everyone deserves a place, both on and off the field,” she said. As the team prepares for Valencia, their message is clear: every match played is not only a contest for victory, but a statement of identity, resilience and the ongoing fight for equality in sport. – @NewsSA_Online
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