Hockey academy envisaged for Mochudi
While Hockey is still at an infant stage as a sporting code in the country, most local players have portrayed the impact the sport has made the past few years. Consistent hosting of tournaments and establishing new ideas to grow the sports has had a positive influence.
Following the establishment of the Basal Hockey Online Television, another local hockey player, Tumelo Sekate has also raised his hands and is coming up with ideas of making the sport popular among local communities.
Sekate has rolled up his sleeves in efforts to take the sport of hockey to different communities across the country, Mochudi being his starting point. The 26 year old, Nest Hockey Club player, will begin a hockey academy at his native village where kids from as young as 6 years old will be accommodated to the academy and immediately learn to play.
Speaking in an interview this week, Sekate said they want to groom kids from a young age and contribute superstars in future. Moreover, he said the club is in need of financial assistance as they will need to host a mini league and a hockey festival for the kids to keep them abreast with the growing sport and ensure that they grow to be competitive. He added that parents are willing to support their children in Mochudi and this has motivated him to continue helping kids. “My dream is to establish a hockey hub in Mochudi, to produce athletes for the national team and have players compete internationally. We want to create careers not only on the field, we want to groom umpires and sports coordinators as well, we want to create an avenue for people to expand their skills.” In addition Sekate plans to establish a team to aid him with the day to day running of the academy and expand to other parts of the the country where talent needs to be be further identified and cultivated.