A 15-year-old Hout Bay resident named Uzair Sadan has been selected to represent South Africa in the Bulgaria Men’s Under 20 Ice Hockey Tournament taking place in January 2020. This incredible achievement at such a young age has been widely celebrated by his family and friends.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, however, Sadan’s family have fallen short on the required fees needed to send him off. His proud and devoted mother, Nazley Sadan, has taken to social media to raise the outstanding R8 000 needed for his tour fees.
Uzair’s ice hockey career began by accident. “He started playing when he attended a friend’s birthday party, and he was taken in by the kits the hockey players were wearing. My husband and I thought it was just a novelty that would pass. So we rented a kit for the day,” said Nazley.
“A week later we had a to buy a complete kit, and skates. In the next few months he made Western Province Colours. So he has been playing for Storms. For the past few years he has played Under 16 Under 18 and Under 20. This year at the annual awards, he won the leap award in the senior men’s division. It’s for the most improved player of the year.
“He also won best defence under 16, and MVP in under 18 in the annual inter provincial tournament in June this year. And this is a decision made by all the coaches of different provinces. The WPIHA also paid for him to attend an Ice Hockey Training Camp in Sweden in July this year. And Starzone in Sweden paid for his meals and accommodation.”
Uzair trains twice a week at the ice rink at Grand West and has been playing ice hockey for five years.
The team will leave Cape Town for Joburg on January 8, where a blazer ceremony will take place on the following day. After that the team will fly to Bulgaria on the 10th, which also happens to be Uzair’s 16th birthday.
If you would like to contribute to the costs and help send Uzair on this incredible tour, please feel free to make a donation:
Bank: Capitec
Account type: Savings account
Account number: 1153962770
Reference: Uzair hockey tour sponsorship/ donation
Image: Facebook