Cape Town - There’s no disappointment big enough to eliminate Tamika van As’s desire to become a successful sportswoman as she continues to win gold in her competitions.
The nine-year-old recently brought home a gold from the 2022 SA Junior and Senior Inter-Regional Championships, scoring the first spot in the under-11 girls category.
This is the second big win following her championship win at the 2022 ITTF Africa Continental Hopes week and challenge in Tunisia, where she also came first last month.
The aspiring star said the achievements made it easy for her to cope with the loss of her ice-skating opportunity at Skate Celje in Slovenia next month. Her family couldn’t afford the R90 000 travel costs and attempts to raised the funds through public domains failed.
“My main focus was just on being in the Durban tournament and not worrying about the other sport.
“I feel happy being announced a winner because I can now achieve more goals. It all started during Covid when I was bored at home and my dad told me to play table tennis. I love it because I get to play with other players,” said Tamika.
Her dad and coach, Graham van As, said although it was sad losing the opportunity, it made her realise there were plenty of other big opportunities and she could still have a chance to go in the near future if she maintained a positive attitude.
“I am blessed to have such a talented daughter, she’s a special talent and lots of opportunities ahead of her.
“She won both the single and team category and that was our proud moment. We appreciate all who support her talent. You know just before the Durban Champs she was called to represent the country in Tunisia and that was a biggest relief, it sealed the void of missing out on the European trip.
“I would like to encourage parents to identify and support their kids’ strengths, you never know which doors they’ll open. These are opportunities we also desired as children but never had abilities to access them. Let us allow children to fly out there. Sport is a very beneficial activity, it teaches so much and has the potential to build one’s character,” said Graham.
Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie said the community was exceptionally proud of her achievements. “She is one of the talented young dynamic youth who are setting an example of what Bonteheuwel is all about. She’s an inspiration and we hope she can just carry on putting our name and the country on the map.”
“Thank you for the support,” said Tamika.