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 or to shaheenwahab4@gmail.com).
· Tell us more about yourself and your family.
I have been married to Uniera for the past 25 years. I am blessed with 3 beautiful kids, Tyrell (24),Tyrique (22) and Takia (15). I grew up in Laudium and moved to Cape Town 11 yrs ago, but still have very strong roots in Laudium. I come from a sports loving family. My father played for the South African Indian Team and the Transvaal Team and was very involved in soccer with Delfos. He held the position of President for many years in the 1960s.
· Tell us about your sporting career.
I started playing at a very young age, as I grew up at the Bangladesh flats. My late brother Daya was my true inspiration. I played with Zane Moosa and loads of other talented players who taught me to love the beautiful game. I started with City Lads at the age of 8 and later moved to Delfos, Eagles, Royal Hearts & Aces.
· How many years in the sporting field?
Over 45 years and still actively involved in soccer, here in Cape Town.
· For all our readers, please tell us what attracted you to this sport?
I loved the game as we grew up in an environment where all the boys around me were playing soccer. This was a distraction from getting up to no good things like drugsand alcohol.
· What was your favourite victory and proudest moment?
Too many to mention, but the game that stood out was when we beat Rafficks one nil in the Essops Cup Final in 1994. Another great memory was when I was 18 and played for Eagles. Kharti Pillay was the manager and made me play in the Eagles TSB Team. I scored against Stoke City from Benoni and we won the game 1- nil. Kharti taught me great administrative duties as well, especially when we used to go to Fordsburg for TSB meetings.
· How did you develop your skills?
I started my career with Delfos and Uncle Nithia (Dick) Moodley used to train us. He taught me the most important thing about the beautiful game: “Not for the glory, but for the game.” He also taught me that the guy with the ball is less dangerous than the FREE guy. At Eagles, Uncle Vella used to drill us to the core and at Royal Hearts we had Uncle Vigee Naidoo, Des Bhana and Sathia Pillay, who had a wealth of experience.
· Who is your greatest inspiration?
Too many to mention, but my late brother Daya was my real inspiration. He was the fastest 100m sprinter in Laudium and was a very talented soccer player in the mid 80’s and always told me you don’t need to have talent or be gifted. If you train hard enough you can be anything you set your mind to. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the players at Eagles, like Ghandhi Pillay, Dino Pillay, Ballie Pillay, JC Pillay, Bathoo Bhana, Ashok and Aubrey. At Royal Hearts, I would like to acknowledge talented and hardworking players like Vernon “Hampo” Simmonds, Manogran “Pie” Naidu, Sathivan Naidoo, Gopal “Kevin” Candasamy, Tony Adams and Komie Pillay. Back in the early 1980’s, I watched my team, Man Utd, with players like Gary Bailey, Paul McGrath, Bryan Robson, Gordon Strachan, Jesper Olsen, Norman Whiteside, Frank Stapleton and Mark Hughes, who attracted me to the beautiful game and inspired me.
· What would you like the youth to take from your passion for the sports?
Train hard and never give up. If you can dream it you can achieve it…!!
·What has this sport taught you off the field?
Commitment and self-discipline. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Also, mental toughness. Sports can teach a person to be strong not only in body, but in mind as well. Learning to work with others, teamwork, handling fear and failure, resilience and goal setting.
· What message would you like to give to our readers?
Life is not just about having a job, buying a big house, fancy cars and having loads of money. It’s about much more than just that! It’s about growing yourself as a person. Finding yourself, your strengths and weaknesses. What are you good at? What is your passion? Do what you love and be happy. If you are not happy, change it! Know who you are. Be yourself and accept only the best. Strive to be the potential others see in you. Never doubt yourself. Always believe in yourself! Always respect your elders and have a positive mind set……!!!!!!
· Whom would you like to thank for your accolades?
Firstly, I would like to thank the Lord as without His mercy and blessings, I would not have achieved anything at all. I would also like to thank all my ex- team mates, coaches, friends and especially all my family members. Last but not least, I want to thank the Laudium Sun and Shaheen Wahab for reaching out to me and for promoting sports within the community.
