PDBY chatted to Samkelo Mvimbi about his sporting career, goals, his trip to Namibia, and his achievements.
How is your sporting career going now? Is there anything you would like to tackle?
My career has been somewhat interesting and busy recently, but I have been enjoying every single bit of it. I am currently playing for my club, the University of Pretoria, and have been on national duty for the past two months. I have been making huge strides and I just feel it comes with playing week-in and week-out, and it is something I have been looking forward to for a long time.
What is your next big goal to achieve?
My next goal is probably one of my biggest goals, and it is linked with all this hockey I have been luckily involved with this year, and that is to go to the Tokyo Olympics happening. I have other goals that are as important, but that has taken priority this year.
Last year, you were selected to play in Namibia, how did it go and how was that experience?
Yes, fortunately for me I made my debut against Namibia so that test series comes with a lot of emotion and excitement every time I speak about it, and it has hopefully marked a start for a long journey ahead with my career.
What do you consider to be your best achievement?
My best achievement to date has to be either competing with the German national side, or winning Varsity hockey with TuksHockey two years ago during my first year with the club, and if we said we were not looking to win it this year I would be lying, and we have a nice group of guys to go all the way again.
What do you find important to focus on in a game?
In most teams I have recently played in, we always speak about focusing on winning and doing all that is needed to win, training hard, and taking each game on merit. Personally, winning and trying to keep things as simple as possible are my two biggest focuses.
What advice would you give to other aspiring hockey players?
That you control your own way up, and do not wait on anyone to do it for you.
What is your training process like?
Training is quite important, so my time outside of class I try spending working on my skills. It does differ every week as it is important to not overwork your body in order to last long and stay injury free.
What do you consider the key to success in terms of your sport?
A successful team, as many have said, requires bind in from everyone – including the coaching staff. I strongly believe that a team that comes together best has the best chance of being successful and that refers both off and on the field. As Tuks, we are always looking for ways of getting better. Good, positive vibes bring success and comradely.
As I’ve said above, we enjoy spending time with each other and understanding each other’s do’s and don’ts. We also always speak about sacrifice for the greater good of the team – whether it be time, personal endeavors, etchose all go towards building a strong bond. Although striving to be at our best the whole time, we understand that yes, teams go through dips and it is just about picking up the good habits and staying focused on the end goal.
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