Team SA’s basketball teams had their first training session in the Namibia capital on Wednesday ahead of the Region 5 Games and the session provided the opportunity to speak to the three youngest athletes in the squad – Aphelele Zulu (14), Nelo Moloi (14) and Amile Qavane (15), writes Mark Lemke in Windhoek.
Zulu attends KW Mathaba High School in KwaZulu-Natal and she spoke about the rollercoaster of emotions she endured on the way to making her “dream come true”.
This trip marked the first time she had been on a plane and she admits to being “very nervous” of flying. “When I was getting onto the plane, I was very nervous. Our manager was with me so she helped me calm down, but the noise when we were taking off and landing was very scary,” said the 14-year-old.
Now, much happier to be back on terra firma, she enjoyed the team’s first practice session and she cannot wait for what’s to come. “I am very excited to play for South Africa. It is a dream come true.”
Moloi joined the team from Pretoria, where she attends Pretoria Girls High School. Her love for basketball came from her upbringing. “I have two older brothers who play basketball and they have always trained me and played with me. When I came to high school, I joined the basketball team. My brothers have continued to work with me, and they helped me earn this incredible opportunity.”
She enjoys the physical side of the game and the training session on Wednesday showed that she has the passion and desire to put her body on the line for her team and country.
Qavane’s status as one of the youngest team members has not stopped her from being herself on and off the court. She enjoys leading the team on attack by calling out plays and communicating with her teammates, and she was happy to speak about her journey here.
“I attend Curro Foreshore in the Western Cape, and have represented Western Province. My brothers inspired me to play basketball. I watched them while I was growing up and they made me want to play. From there, the coaches pushed me and inspired me even further.”
The feeling of representing Team SA is still sinking in for these girls, but they did describe their emotions when they found out they would be a part of the Region 5 Games squad.
Zulu said: “I was overwhelmed with excitement. The idea of playing internationally is amazing and I can’t wait to play.”
Moloi said: “It felt unreal. It is such a high level, and I started playing quite recently, but I am very proud to be here and excited to get started.”
Qavane said: “When I found out I thought I was added to the team by mistake. I messaged the coach to make sure it wasn’t wrong, and she said that I really did make the cut. There is a lot of pressure and it is scary, but I am settling as the time goes on. Hopefully the nerves will be replaced completely by excitement.”
These girls are at the start of their sporting journeys. They have ticked off the milestone of representing Team SA for the first time and now they will be competing together and gaining invaluable experience that will aid them in adding to their already bright basketball futures.
Photo: Frennie Shivambu