Young hockey star Rivek makes history as Mpumalanga's first Indian male goalie

EXCELLENT RESULTS

- CANDICE SOOBRAMONEY [e-mail]

ONE year ago, Rivek Dawlat Ram began playing hockey in school, and since then, he has attained a string of achievements.

The most notable, said his mother, Varsha Ramnanan, was becoming the first under-14 Indian male goalie to represent Mpumalanga in the sport.

From today to July 2, the Grade 8 pupil from Middelburg Hoerskool will represent Mpumalanga in the under-14C team in the Boys’ North Regional Tournament in Kearsney College in Durban. The tournament is for B and C teams.

“Other than Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, two other provinces, Gauteng and Limpopo, will compete,” said 13-year-old Rivek.

Formerly from KZN, his parents moved to Middelburg 20 years ago.

“Prior to this, I did not play any sports at school. I only played social soccer with family and friends. I was introduced to the sport by my primary school hockey coaches, AnjoJene Bruce and Bennete Dekker. They encouraged me to try out for the first team goalie position.