91-year-old Santosh Trophy player from Kerala still active in football

At 91, Dr P K Rajagopal from Kerala's Palakkad still keeps his days moving to a clockwork rhythm. By 6.30 am, he is out for his morning walk. Meals come at fixed times, exercise is part of his daily routine and football still has a place in his schedule. On many evenings, the former Santosh Trophy player can be found at one of the football grounds in Palakkad, surrounded by young players.

A life shaped by discipline
Born in 1937 at Peringode, Rajagopal was the fourth of nine children of Pathinettamkandathil Ayyappan Kutty Vaidyar, a traditional physician, and Ammalu Kuttiyamma. From his early years, he learnt that an active life leaves little room for idleness. For him, discipline means giving everything its time, from waking up and exercising to eating, studying and sleeping. He believes such a routine keeps both the body and mind active while building confidence.

Every hour has its place
After his morning walk and bath, Rajagopal starts the day with a glass of water and a banana. Breakfast at 9.30 am is usually dosa, idli or uthappam with two eggs and vegetable curry, followed by a cup of oats. Lunch, between 1 and 1.30 pm, is matta rice with curries, while a glass of milk at 5 pm keeps him going through the evening.

The evening often takes him back to football. Rajagopal heads to one of the six sub-centres of Talents Football Academy in Palakkad to spend time with young players. Dinner at 8 pm is usually two chapatis or dosa with vegetable curry, and he is in bed by 9.30 pm. Fish, chicken or mutton are part of his diet three or four days a week.

Footballer, doctor, mentor
Rajagopal’s journey in medicine took him through the Government Ayurveda College and Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, where he earned his DAM and DHMS, before completing his MBBS at Kozhikode Medical College. He joined government service as an assistant surgeon in 1968 and retired as a civil surgeon in 1992. Retirement, however, did not end his medical practice. He continued to treat patients until 2020.

Medicine became his profession, but football remained his passion. Rajagopal represented Kerala in the Santosh Trophy for four years from 1960 to 1964 and was later selected for the Indian team camp. But he chose to step away from the opportunity to pursue his MBBS.

Passing on the lessons of a lifetime
The values that shaped Rajagopal’s life are also something he believes in passing on to those around him. He often speaks to patients about the importance of a disciplined lifestyle. During his years with the Kerala football team, he shared his experience and tips with teammates. Even today, when he joins children at the Talents Football Academy camp in Palakkad, he passes on the same lessons to them.

For Rajagopal, football can teach children much more than the game itself. Regular exercise and physical activity help build fitness and immunity, while football gives children an opportunity to develop friendships and healthy social habits. He also believes sports camps can help keep children away from substance abuse.

Football beyond the playing days
His bond with football has remained strong long after his playing days. Rajagopal served as president and patron of the Palakkad District Football Association. Since 2003, he has been a pillar of the Talents Football Academy and served as its president for 20 years. Even now, he continues to turn up at the ground as the academy’s chief patron.