“I even scored a goal today!” 71-year-old Ali Poozhikkuth says with a smile. While most septuagenarians prefer a gentle morning walk, this energetic grandfather from Melakkam in Manjeri, Kerala, prefers laced-up boots and a football pitch. For Alikka, as he is affectionately known, football is not a casual hobby; it is a daily commitment that keeps him feeling young and spirited.
Every morning at 6.30, Alikka is on the pitch at the Manjeri Boys School ground. He is the oldest player on the field, effortlessly keeping pace with teammates and opponents who are decades younger. Having retired as an assistant engineer from the Public Works Department, he chose never to retire from his true passion. His love for the game stretches back to the days of traditional rag-balls and continues today with modern footballs. “I have been playing at this school ground since 1990,” Alikka shares. “The joy and mental strength that football gives me is incomparable. I honestly do not feel my age at all.”
Alikka has a piece of advice for his peers that is both simple and profound. “Do not wait for a doctor to tell you to walk for half an hour during a consultation,” he asserts. “Exercise, in whatever form you choose, must be a daily necessity.” The proud grandfather of ten follows a highly disciplined daily routine. He goes to bed early and wakes up at 4am. After his morning prayers, he heads to the town at 5am to grab the daily newspapers. By 6.20 am, with his boots and water bottle ready, he is heading to the school ground.
Once the game wraps up, Alikka’s day is filled with cooking and reading. He has a deep love for history books and novels. His evenings are reserved for socialising, catching up with friends at a local gathering spot in Melakkam around 7pm. He returns home by 8:15 pm for another quick reading session before sleeping. “If you let your mind believe you are old, you will slow down. You must remain active,” he says.
With a chuckle, Alikka admits that his age actually comes with some unique perks on the field. “The defenders tend to go easy on me because they respect my age,” he laughs. “They do not mark me too tightly, and I use that to my advantage to find open spaces and score goals.” While his wife Haseena passed away, his three children—Ameer Faisal, Ameera Faseela, and Fareeda—along with his grandchildren, remain his biggest cheerleaders.
