Ah Meng’s story of returning to the football field

Retirement Was Never The End For Me

At 65 years old, Ah Meng still wakes up early every Saturday morning to head down to the neighbourhood field near his estate. Dressed in an old football jersey and carrying a worn whistle around his neck, he spends his weekends coaching children from the community — something he began doing shortly after retiring from his full-time logistics job. What started as casually helping a few kids practise football eventually grew into regular training sessions, with parents often stopping by to thank him for the patience and care he shows each child.

For Ah Meng, retirement initially felt unfamiliar and isolating. After decades of working long hours, suddenly having too much free time left him feeling restless and disconnected from his routine. While many around him encouraged him to “slow down” because of his age, he missed the sense of purpose that came from mentoring others and being part of a team environment. Coaching football became a way for him to stay active, social, and mentally engaged while continuing to do something meaningful within the community.

Despite his experience, Ah Meng sometimes notices how older individuals are quietly expected to step aside once they reach a certain age. Parents occasionally express surprise when they realise he is still coaching at 65, often commenting on how energetic he is “for his age.” While these remarks are usually harmless, they remind him of how society often underestimates older adults and assumes ageing means becoming less capable or less relevant.

Today, Ah Meng sees coaching as more than just a hobby. Beyond teaching football skills, he hopes to encourage confidence, teamwork, and kindness in the children he trains. He believes ageing should not mean losing opportunities to contribute, connect, or continue growing. “As long as I can still run around the field,” he laughs, “I’ll keep showing up.”