Malabar-born hockey star Sachin Padayachee has once again made the South African under-21 men's team that will be defending their title at the SA Hockey interprovincial tournament in Cape Town in late July.
The tournament also serves as a crucial preparation event for the team ahead of the FIH Junior World Cup later this year.
Padayachee said it was exciting to make the team once again.
The SA U21 men head into the tournament with confidence, having won the IPT title in Johannesburg in 2024.
“I made the team last year; we went to a tournament called the U21 IPT, and from there they selected a squad of 50 players and had a selection camp,” Padayachee said.
“From the camp, they chose a team of 18 players, and I made it the team. We played in the tournament and last year, we won the men's IPT.
“You obviously want to stay in the team from competition to competition because you can easily be pulled out.
“After the men's IPT, we played the Afcon this year, which we won, and I was reselected once again for the men's IPT this year, and then we also have the Junior World Cup in December.
“It's always exciting to see your name on the selection sheet again, and it's also a privilege, and I am blessed to be chosen.
“I told myself I have to work hard to be better and better. So you are consistently thinking about being better.”
Padayachee said growing up he played football, and hockey was never a sport that he thought he would get involved in.
It was not until he and a friend decided to play hockey for fun.
“I was in Gelvandale Park Primary School. It was in grade 6 when I started playing hockey, and in grade 7, my friend and I were selected to join a programme called United Through Sport.
“While with the programme, we had trials at Alexander Road High School, and if you did well at the trials, you'd be awarded a full bursary to study at the school.
“Luckily, I played well and I received the bursary, and I then played for Alex.
“Now, because I was on the bursary, my coach focused me to play hockey only because I wanted to play soccer as well, but they clashed, and I had to choose.
“I could only choose hockey, but I didn't leave soccer completely. I played it on the side at club level and played school hockey.
“My coach told me the only way I'd get better at hockey is if I also played club hockey, so I joined the Gelvandale Hockey Club and then moved to the Lakeside Hockey Club.
“Club hockey really improved my hockey. I moved a bit from soccer and just focused on hockey.
“Now I play for Madibaz, I got a sponsorship from Nelson Mandela University, where I am currently doing my third year studying Sport Management.
“I'd like to thank my family, my girlfriend, and my community for the support mentally and financially,” he said.
The Herald
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