Older Asians show health issues a red card with walking football
COMMUNITY URGED TO TAKE UP PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS WAY OF SOCIALISING AND KEEPING FIT
A GROWING number of older British Asians are playing walking football and showing the red card to health issues and loneliness.
More people of south Asian origin have taken up the sport in recent years after work by community groups and charities.
In Blackburn, Lancashire, around five elderly men were playing walking football in their mosque clothing after a scheme started in 2019 by Blackburn Rovers football club and grassroots team AHF.
It has grown to around 30 players for their weekly kickabout, with Rovers providing T-shirts and a football coach in the initial stages.
Among them is Yakub Bhola, 79, who has survived two heart attacks.
Yasir Sufi, Blackburn Rovers’ integration and development manager told Eastern Eye: “We didn’t have to do much advertising, it was through word of mouth.
“Before Covid, we had 30 men playing because it is a social activity for them, they eat together, bring food.
“It’s around 20 at the moment, and we have a few newcomers.
“One came from Preston for a game. As long as we make it fun for them, it has led to the success of it.
“Most people join because they have had health scares, their doctors have told them to do some physical activity.”
Talking about Bhola, a father-of-three who has nine grandchildren, Sufi added: “He has been with it from the start, he’s the most punctual.
“You would never think he’s 79 the way he gets around the football pitch.
“He showed me the scars from his heart bypass ops. More people should take inspiration from him.”
Bhola, who came to the UK in 1989, said: “I am the oldest player here.
“I started off playing as a striker and was doing pretty well if I may say so. I picked up some man of the match awards. I have settled back into defence now.
“I have been talking to others at my local mosque to come and play too.
“Some of them say they have no idea how to play football. But I tell them it does not matter, they will soon get the hang of it like I did.”
There are more than 1,500 walking football clubs in the UK and over 60,000 players since the game kicked off in 2011.
According to the rules, players are not allowed to run with or without the ball. Players are also not allowed to make contact when tackling.
Another pioneer of the game has been Billy Singh, who helped to develop walking football across Scotland. He is now involved in developing walking netball in the region.
It has led to the ‘Celebration of Walking Football’ tournaments taking place on November 21 in Scotland for over-50 and over-65 age groups.
Nadeem Shan is a football coach and runs a community group in Sheffield. He has called for a pilot scheme in South Yorkshire.
Shan told Eastern Eye: “Walking football tackles social isolation and loneliness. It’s a fun activity and you make friends.
“Awareness is part of it. There are not enough sporting organisations offering activities to the community which might improve the statistics.
“[There is] Also a lack of interest. There is more interest in cricket. Maybe if they try it they would enjoy it, it would gradually build.
“With the over-60s there are issues with diabetes and heart problems, injuries.
“I run a company group – if we had funding, we could pilot it.”
Manisha Tailor, a coach at the Queens Park Rangers academy,
said: “Walking football is becoming increasingly popular and is a great way of socialising and keeping fit.
“County football associations, as well as sports foundations should continue their endeavour to create opportunities for the elderly to participate in the game.
“There are countless studies that prove the positive impact of physical activity and exercise, which becomes increasingly important as we age. Not only does it improve mental health, it also helps maintain independence for the elderly.
“Regular walking can help build overall immunity which, in turn, can aid in preventing common health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.”
Other keen walking footballers who are growing old gracefully are Praful Patel, Nick Singh and Geoff Singh, who all play for a team in Walton, Surrey.
Geoff, who is in his 70s, said: “I hadn’t played football since I was at school, when I was about 13 years old.
“I found the walking football great fun and good exercise.
“I have arthritis in one hip and both knees, but this helps to keep the limbs active and is good fun.
“I have lost weight, which also helps with my joints.”