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 was born and raised in Laudium. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart Shenaaz. We have been blessed with 4 beautiful kids and 2 grandchildren.
· Tell us about your sporting career.
I have been involved in sports from a very young age. I took up swimming and squash in my early sporting days and during break-time at school is where my soccer career began. I then focused more on my soccer career and I played in most social tournaments around the country with team Malas. I also played with Laudium Old Boys on Sunday mornings. I then decided to join Barcelona FC in the LFA. We had a few amazing seasons as a club and I then moved on to play for Birds FC. I then decided to get back to the social scene as age had caught up with me and I began to play with Santos FC, which I am still a part of.
· How many years in the sporting field?
I think at least about 40 years and still going strong, thanks to the Almighty.
· For all our readers, please tell us what attracted you to this sport?
Football has always been a passion for me from an early age. As I grew up, I started watching a lot of Premier League soccer. I watched many great players of my favourite team Chelsea FC, namely Gustavo Poyet, Marcel Dessaily and Gianfranco Zola, to name but a few.
· What was your favourite victory and proudest moment?
There have been many amazing victories and proud moments in my career, but the one that really stands out for me, is when we won the Piet Retief tournament with Team Malas as we were the clear underdogs. We went on to win the tournament unbeaten and for this I cannot forget some of my team members, the likes of Sameer “Sammy” Cassim, Rehaan Shamshoodeen, Shaheed Alper, Mohammed “Boeta” Bhamjee and Yasser Ismail (To the rest of the team I could not fit all of your names in this article, but thank you). My proudest moment was when I played for Barcelona and in a tournament which we won in Durban with Zayn Moosa on our team.
· How did you develop your skills?
I guess over the years with training and playing, my game improved tremendously, but also, I cannot forget the guidance and coaching I was given by uncles Smiley Moosa, Batu Bhana, Nizaam “Nizo”Ismail and also the late uncle Magan.
· Who is your greatest inspiration?
My sporting inspiration came from Alessandro Del Piero and Ruud Gullit because of the way they played the game and their professionalism. Locally, I believe the Moosa brothers and uncle Batu Bhana were definitely a great inspiration.
· What would you like the youth to take from your passion for the sports?
Don’t run after success. Pursue excellence. Success will follow you.
·What has this sport taught you off the field?
I have learnt from playing football the sweetness of victory, the bitterness of defeat and the ability to handle both in a very professional manner. I have made many friends along this path, especially my closest friends from Santos FC, whom I still enjoy playing with.
· What message would you like to give to our readers?
I would like to encourage everyone to be dedicated and disciplined in achieving their goals. Never give up on your dreams and always do your best. Have a very positive mind set, as this is the key factor in achieving the impossible.
· Whom would you like to thank for your accolades?
Firstly, I would like to thank the Almighty, for without His mercy and blessing nothing would have been possible. I also pray for the strength and ability to continue. I would like to thank my family for their continuous support and I would also like to thank Omie “Oomza” for the guidance and support in my early days and not forgetting Santos FC for the most enjoyable games over the years and to all the teams and players I have had the opportunity of playing with. Thanks also to Shaheen Wahab and the Laudium Sun for this column and the opportunity for local sports players to share their years of experience with younger readers.
