In Laudium Sun’s, Veteran Sporting Enthusiasts column, we feature interviews with veteran sporting fanatics, from within the community, who promoted sporting fervour in their respective fields… (Veteran sporting enthusiasts are invited to send their details to info@laudiumsun.co.za)
Salim ‘Sona’ Ismail (53).
· Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and grew up in Laudium, where I attended Jacaranda Primary School and Laudium High School. I do not consider myself a legend.
· Tell us something about your family.
I’m married to Sadiyah and we have two children.
· Please enlighten us on your sporting career history.
I loved soccer from a very young age and always played for the fun of the game. I started in the junior ranks with Pretorians, where we played in the Transvaal White League. I then joined the PDFA and played for Junior Birds. At the age of 17, I was very fortunate to get an opportunity to play for Birds FC in the Non-racial Federation Professional League (FPL) and got to play alongside legends like Gumshoes Lucas, Basil Steenkamp, Chappies Julius, Smiley Moosa and Bernard Adams, to name a few, who encouraged and guided me with every game played. I am also proud to have played against players like Duncan Crowie, Owen Da Gama, Keith America, Boebie Solomons and Isaac De Jhong. I enjoyed 7 years in the FPL, came back to the PDFA and joined Santos FC, a team made up of friends, who still enjoy social soccer together, to this day.
· How many years in the sporting field?
35 years.
· For all our readers, please tell us what attracted you to this sport?
Soccer was in the family blood. My dad Wahab and late uncle Anver played for Mohawks in Marabastad. Naturally, I felt inspired to play and never looked back.
· What was your favourite victory and proudest moment?
My proudest moment was reaching the ‘Osmans Spice’ Cup Final against Berea FC and playing that final at the famous Curries Fountain in Durban, in front of a packed stadium. Although, we lost that final, the feeling was unbelievable. Also, reaching the Essops Cup Final and winning with Santos FC was a very special and proud moment.
· How did you develop your skill?
By practicing and listening to my coaches when they offered constructive criticism.
· Who is your greatest inspiration?
Definitely my parents. I am blessed that they are still around to guide and advise me. Also, my family, for sacrificing Sundays to be with me on a match day.
· What would you like the youth to take from your passion for the sports?
There are so many opportunities now that apartheid is over. Opportunities come once, take advantage of it. Laudium has produced so many great players, go out there and make us proud.
· What has this sport taught you off the field?
Discipline, building friendships and always striving to give your best. There is no better feeling than walking off the pitch with your opponents as your friends, win or lose.
· What message would you like to give to the readers?
Love the game, but more importantly, show respect to the opposition.
· Whom would you like to thank for your accolades?
The Almighty, my parents, my family and friends. My managers at Birds, Hassen Mohideen and Iqbal Sheriff, my manager at Santos FC, Shaheen Wahab and my sincerest appreciation to the late Nazier ‘Numpies’ Dawood. Thanks to the Laudium Sun for this column.
