Rivek Dawlat Ram: the first under-14 Indian male goalie to represent Mpumalanga

ONE year ago, Rivek Dawlat Ram began playing hockey in school, and since then, he has attained a string of achievements. The most notable, said his mother, Varsha Ramnanan, was becoming the first under-14 Indian male goalie to represent Mpumalanga in the sport.  

From Wednesday to July 2, the Grade 8 pupil from Middelburg Hoerskool is representing Mpumalanga in the under-14C team in the Boys' North Regional Tournament in Kearsney College in Durban. The tournament is for B and C teams.

"Other than Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, two other provinces, Gauteng and Limpopo, will compete," said 13-year-old Rivek.

Formerly from KZN, his parents moved to Middelburg 20 years ago.

"Prior to this, I did not play any sports at school. I only played social soccer with family and friends. I was introduced to the sport by my primary school hockey coaches, Mrs Anjolene Bruce and Miss Bennete Dekker. They encouraged me to try out for the first team goalie position.

"The day that I was informed about tryouts, I was extremely nervous. I asked my mum to purchase a hockey stick for me. I had never picked up a hockey stick before, let alone worn a goalie kit. My mum had motivated and told me that she would not force me into hockey and that it was my choice.

"On the day of the tryouts, she looked at me and said 'no matter what happens, give it your all'. We always pray before anything, so we prayed before I put on the goalie kit. Even though I remained nervous, this filled me with much pride. I knew I would be able to add value to the team. When we received the calls that I had made the team, it was the greatest feeling."

He now belongs to the Middelburg Hockey Club, the TM10 Academy, PSI Cheetahs and, since last month, the Mpumalanga provincial squad.

Rivek said since the first tryout at Middelburg Primary School, his love for the sport had grown.

Among his achievements, he was awarded player of the tournament for the U13 Mabhele & Associates Hockey Tournament; was awarded the opportunity to play for the PSI Cheetahs U13 squad in Cape Town; placed third in the PSI Nationals; and trained with SA women's goalkeeper, Anelle Lloyd.

His long-term aim is to make the national team in field and indoor hockey.

"Both field and indoor hockey are huge sports in the country but sometimes I feel it does not get recognised like rugby and cricket."

He said he looked up to Mustapha Cassiem, a field hockey player, who played as a forward for the SA team. 

"He is an extremely outstanding player in field and indoor hockey. Mustapha inspires me to play to my fullest ability, and he has represented the country with pure dedication." 

Rivek, who trains four times a week, is an A-pupil, said his mom. 

"He has consistently produced excellent results. During his Grade R graduation, he was asked what he wanted to become when he was older, his answer left us amazed. He said he wanted to be an archaeologist. When he matriculates, he wants to study actuarial science, as well as play for SA in field and indoor hockey." 

She said when she found out that he was the first Indian male goalie in that age division in Mpumalanga "my heart burst with pride and joy".

His hobbies include listening to music, watching reels and TikTok, hanging out with his elder sister Diya Marissa, and training.

Rivek's U15A coach, Randel Green, said: "Rivek is one of the most hard working players I have ever coached. His dedication and ambition for the game are truly exceptional. He shows great character on and off the field. Rivek's discipline and hunger to improve make him not only a valuable player but also someone who has proven that age is just a number and that you can compete with older players and still excel. He has the mindset of a champion and the work ethic to match it." 

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