Ranada Prasad Roy is a 77-year-old footballer who was seen playing a match with other veterans for full 90 minutes amidst the scorching heat of 40 degrees celsius at the ARA ground in Ahmadabad on Sunday. Watching his agility on the field it could be difficult for anyone to guess that his age is 77.

Roy used to play the game seriously at a young age. He represented Bhratri Sangha, once a leading football club in Kolkata League. In the year he got offers to join Rajasthan Club, RP Roy joined Tata Steel Ltd as a football player. Even, Roy acquired his coaching degree from NIS and became the coach twice of the sub-junior team of Bihar for the under-16 national football championship for B.C Roy Memorial Trophy. 

Roy and his family settled in Ahmadabad in 2008 and after retiring from his job he returned to football through the veterans' game. Roy who used to live in the southern part of Kolkata said, “After retiring from my job, I was attached to a veterans' footballers association in Jadavpur. Former stars like the late Surajit Sengupta and Ashoke Chandra were associated with the organization.” 

Roy added, "Then after settling in Ahmadabad I found a veterans organization was formed across the state. The initiative was taken by one gentleman named, Amit Pal Timar. he is extremely enthuiastic about promoting the veterans football in the state and nation-wide. We already have 244 members from across the state. We roam around different towns and districts in Gujarat and take part in many tournaments. The tournaments started in 2020. I noticed a lot of talented footballers among us in Gujarat. But unfortunately, they did not get the opportunity to come to the mainstream football." 

Roy also has the desire to do coaching along with playing the veterans' tournaments. He stated, "While traveling around many places in Gujarat in the last two years I found several young potential players. If they can be guided properly, Gujarat will also be able to produce quality footballers. The ARA Club in Ahmadabad where we played the tournament today has a modern and unique infrastructure. So, many other clubs have also built up the infrastructure. They need guidance. I have received huge respect here. If I get the opportunity I am also ready to do coaching here."