Teen uses sport to change lives
Young sportsperson has passion; her Goals for Loaves campaign helps the poor
AKENSINGTON teenager is going the extra mile doing something for the poor and needy and is doing so while having fun. Malikah Hamza, a 13-year-old hockey player started her Goals for Loafs campaign three years ago.
She donates a loaf of bread to a charity every time she scores three goals. To date Hamza, has scored 1 208 goals and donated over 600 loafs of bread.
“The idea of the Goals for Loaves campaign came when I started to have the urge to make a difference. I had already scored 109 goals by this time and so decided to start the campaign with my own pocket money,” she said.
When asked who inspires her, she said her dad. “My dad has been my inspiration because of his involvement throughout my sporting career. I would not have been where I am without him motivating me.”
Hamza is also an ambassador for good causes like the Cape Town Big Walk taking place on March 18 and the Cape Argus’s #EveryDropCounts – a water saving awareness campaign.
She has been playing hockey and cricket since the age of nine and has earned her provincial colours in both sporting codes.
In addition the youngster also has firm grip on golf, soccer, water polo and swimming.
Her father, Boebie Hamza said: “I knew that Malikah would become the great sports person she is today since she was two years old.” He is the author of the soon to be released book Crossing the White Line.
“The book I intend to finish is to encourage parents to try to identify their children’s talent so that they can excel and be the best that they can be,” he said.
“Parents play a very important role in the growth of their children’s lives.
“All the sports she plays is on a senior level, and she always comes out on top. Malikah has played for a senior team since the start of her sporting career.
“One of the teams she played against was UCT, and she left the field as top goal scorer,” he said proudly.
He said that when she was nine Malikah became the youngest player to get a professional sponsorship from Mr Price Sport. She is also sponsored by Slazenger for hockey and cricket.
Head of administration at Reddam House School, Monica Dunil, where Hamza attends, said: “Malikah reminds me very much of swimmer Natalie du Toit, whom I have had the privilege of working very closely with.
“Their drive and passion seem to be on the same level.
“Malikah’s mindset is very different to those around her. She excels well in everything that she puts her mind to, sometimes without any effort. I am very proud to know her.”
MY DAD HAS BEEN MY INSPIRATION BECAUSE OF HIS INVOLVEMENT THROUGHOUT MY SPORTING CAREER