Newcastillian hits the stumps in Gauteng
Newcastle's own cricketing star, is triumphant at cricketing awards.
It is often hard to find a balance between sports and academic progress, however for Gauteng’s Bowler Of The Year, Jameelah Shaikjee, juggling the two comes naturally.
The Newcastle-born woman, who is currently engaged in her pharmacy internship after completing her studies at The University of Witswatersrand, was voted the Bowler Of The Year by Gauteng’s cricketing body last week Friday.
The young lass whose love for sport developed at an early age, due to her family’s love for sport, attributes her love for cricket to her high school teacher, Afzul Khan, who encouraged her to play cricket.
“My cricket career started in high school when I played on the boys’ side at Lincoln Heights Secondary, and the KwaZulu-Natal Inland Girls Cricket team,” explained Ms Shaikjee.
As she moved to Gauteng for studies, her cricketing career really took off when she joined the Gauteng Women’s Cricketing Team, and Kagiso Cricketing Club.
She explained that joining Kagiso allowed her an opportunity to encourage and develop cricketing in the townships, while she wanted to inspire and motivate women in Kagiso.
She dreams of one day also putting on her pads while wearing a South African cap, saying that you never know what the future holds; maybe she might even take up coaching, which she enjoys.
The star sportswoman who also plays soccer for Wits, explained, “between studying, cricket, soccer, and being elected president of the Wits Pharmacy Students Council, saw me experience many challenges. I had to find a balance, and hard work, perseverance and family support allowed me to achieve this balance.”
While many may think that these achievements are already impressive, Ms Shaikjee continues to push the boundaries, as last month she represented the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, as the only woman playing in the men’s set-up tournament in Cape Town.
Despite all this success, she remains humble.
“For all the young cricketers out there, work hard, fight adversity and let your passion for the sport shine through,” she encouraged.
Finally, she thanked her family for their support in helping her achieve this award, together with Mr Khan for encouraging her to take up the sport.
