The Ah Ma Flippa Ball team, comprised of energetic grandmothers, showcases Singapore’s innovative approach to encouraging senior citizens to remain active and engaged. This initiative not only exemplifies sporting spirit but also enhances community well-being as the population ages.
Singapore's Ah Ma Flippa Ball Team: Empowering Grandmothers to Stay Active

Singapore's Ah Ma Flippa Ball Team: Empowering Grandmothers to Stay Active
A unique sporting initiative in Singapore is redefining aging by establishing a flippa ball team exclusively for grandmothers, promoting both physical health and social engagement.
In Singapore, a dynamic new approach is reshaping how the elderly engage with sports and social activities. Enter the Ah Ma Flippa Ball team—"Ah Ma," meaning grandmother in multiple Chinese dialects—a spirited group of women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, enthusiastically playing a modified version of water polo called flippa ball. The team illustrates Singapore's commitment to keeping its senior population active and thriving.
Life expectancy in Singapore has soared to 84 years, and with nearly one-fifth of the population over the age of 65, the need for inclusive activities for seniors has become paramount. The government has responded by not only raising the retirement age and the re-employment age but also by providing additional benefits such as cash payouts for older citizens. Programs like Silver Generation Ambassadors are also reaching out to seniors, promoting exercise, games, and even modern skills like robotics and language learning.
The inception of the flippa ball team began serendipitously in 2016, when a sports official at a local complex witnessed a children's class. Impressed by the engagement, he proposed starting a similar program for older men and women, leading to the creation of the Ah Ma team. Its success has rendered skeptics into supporters, showcasing the sporting prowess and resilience of the team members.
As grandmothers tussle and score in their weekly matches, they defy societal expectations of aging. Their participation extends beyond sports; it fosters camaraderie among community members, promotes healthy lifestyles, and inspires residents of all ages. The Ah Ma Flippa Ball team represents a heartwarming paradigm shift—proving that age is merely a number when it comes to enthusiasm and the joy of staying active.