Tuks hockey players excited to represent SA at Tokyo Games

Years ago, a little girl dreamed of playing hockey at the Olympic Games. Today the 20-year-old Edith Molikoe heard that she is going to Tokyo.

"I don't have words to describe how I feel at the moment. I am excited but at the same time nervous. It is a dream comes true after hours of hard work. I am very proud of myself. I am really looking forward to this opportunity to learn and grow as a player," the Tuks player said this afternoon.

There is nothing Molikoe loves more than to have a stick in hand dribbling a hockey ball past opponents. As far as she is concerned, nothing ever changes when she steps onto the Astroturf. There are goals to be scored. She wants to be instrumental in making it happen.

Molikoe started playing hockey when she was eight years old. She excelled in other sports as well, but it was hockey that genuinely got her adrenaline pumping. She mostly plays as a striker or midfielder and loving it.

"As a midfielder, you need to be assertive because you are doing two jobs. On the attack, you got to try and set up scoring opportunities, and you must be able to defend.

"I guess my best quality as a striker is that I am 'strong on the ball. I seldom lose possession. For me, playing striker is never about personal glory. It is about what is best for the team. I am happy to set up scoring opportunities for my teammates."

Tuks's Onthatile Zulu and Lerato Mohale have also been selected for the Olympic women's team. Marizen Marais is the travelling reserve. Tuks's head coach, Nkuliso Zondi, is the team's assistant coach.

As far as Tuks's men are concerned, two brothers will be going to the Tokyo Games. Their roles, however, are going to be vastly different. Nqobile Ntuli is playing while his brother Siphesihle Ntuli is the team's assistant coach.

"We have also represented South Africa at the previous World Cup Tournament as a player and coach. Both of us going to the Olympics is going to make my mom and the family proud again," said Nqobile Ntuli.

To him playing hockey for South Africa is being an "ambassador of hope" for youngsters.

"I want aspiring young black hockey players to take note that anything is possible if you are prepared to put your mind to it. In the past, many thought it was an unrealistic goal to play for South Africa. So every time I take to the Astroturf, it feels like I am representing their hopes."

Tuks' Samkelo Mvimbi's is also selected for the men's team. A definite way to get his adrenaline pumping is to give him a hockey stick and tell him a team's honour is at stake. He is sure to take to the challenge. He lives for that moment; he gets to catch the opposition's defence off-guard and seeing the ball hit the back of the net.

Nduduzo Lembethe, who led the Tuks men's team to their first Varsity Cup title, is also part of the Olympic men's squad.