After his father and sister died of diabetes, Arif Qureshi knew he needed to make a lifestyle change.
“I need to do something, and I need to do it now,” the 51-year-old said.
In 2016, his GP recommended he try a programme called 150Club. He joined the walking football team and quickly began to see results.
Arif, from East Ham, not only felt healthier and lost weight, but he also made life-long friends.
Now, the goalkeeper travels with his team to play in walking football tournaments around England.
The 150Club - whose name refers to the number of minutes of exercise an adult should do each week - is run by the West Ham United Foundation, and aims to to combat the climbing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular related diseases in the borough.
It offers a free 24-week programme for participants to make positive changes toward their health.
With a referral from a GP or an initial assessment, people have the choice to participate in 49 different activities in 15 locations across Newham.
One of the more popular sports among participants is walking football. Senior projects advisor Darryl Gheerawo said the club hosts five sessions each week, with about 300 participants.
It is not limited to those referred to the 150Club; anyone over 18 is able to join.
He said walking sports are popular because it allows people the chance to jump back into a sport at a slower speed.
“Walking sports is a great way to slowly bring these people back,” Darryl said. “A lot of them say they feel like they are 18 again.”
One of the first participants to finish the 150Club programme was Chandra Bouri. His wake-up call came when his doctor told him he was at risk of developing diabetes.
The 66-year-old, from East Ham, said he told himself, “That’s it man,” and joined the walking football team at his doctor’s advice.
Chandra said he noticed his health improved after three or four sessions, and added the key is to stay consistent and regular.
“Once your body is used to activity, don’t give up,” he said. “This programme was a life saver.”
For more information about joining the walking football sessions, contact Darryl on dgheerawo@westhamunited.co.uk or call 07803 201299.
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