Elite karateka Ilhaam Amod (17) has the chance to compete in the Dubai Open in Fujairah early next year.
But she needs funds – around R34 000 – to get there and so the family has embarked on a fundraising drive, which includes a raffle.
The teenager has been selected to represent South Africa at the WKF Youth League, where she will compete with athletes from around the world.
She hails from Port Shepstone and has represented the Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in the past few years.
Ilhaam is currently ranked number one in South Africa for the second year running – junior female 16/17 kumite U53kg in 2024, and U59kg in 2025.
She has competed as an elite athlete since 2023, taking part in 25 tournaments, four of them international, and has medalled in nearly all of them.
Her karate journey began at the tender age of seven.
Ilhaam initially took it up to learn self-defence, but then took it a step further and began competing in tournaments, firstly at a development level, and then elite as she improved.
Karate has helped her physically and mentally and has aided her in achieving high levels of discipline.
This has seen her able to balance academics and sport and she also enjoys soccer, netball and athletics.
Inspired by her single mom Fuzlin, Ilhaam would like to uplift women in sport and also give back to the community by means of empowering women and children against GBV.
The sponsorship will be used to fund travel, accommodation, tournament fees and safety equipment.
With these accolades, her goal is to achieve a sports scholarship for tertiary education, with plans to study sports science and management next year.
For more information of how to sponsor or support contact her mother, Fuzlin Hamid on 073 9026955 (WhatsApp) or phone 062 5127731.
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