Her name is Oluchi Ndubueze, and it would serve you well to remember it, as one day it could quite possibly be mentioned among the list of great athletes the world has seen.
This young, ambitious athlete of Northcliff was recently selected to form part of the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa, a selection, that for her, is a great honour.
The first sport Ndubueze was interested in was athletics after she discovered her love for the sport when she was chased by a dog at five years old, and as she put it, she never stopped running since. Jokingly she added that at every race she pictures this particular moment, as it helps her run faster most times.
She currently has provincial colours in school athletics, schools outdoor netball as well as indoor netball and hockey. As one can imagine, it is hard for her to choose one she loves the most – as each one comes with its own unique addition to her life, however, one undoubtedly does come out on top.
“My passion for athletics is stronger than my passion for netball and hockey at the moment, because it gives me the satisfaction of individual performance; that I did it by myself and netball and hockey I get to play in a team to take off the pressure a bit.”
To get these varying provincial colours, Ndubueze had to compete in an assortment of trials and championships, each one met with the courage and will to make sure her best was given throughout. With inspiration drawn from the likes of local hockey star, Reabetswe Phume, international netball players Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang as well as Jamaican athlete, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, it is no wonder she has managed to achieve all she has to date.
With each of these sportswomen emulating traits she would most love to exemplify it is Shelly-Ann’s words that constantly ring to her. “She once said, ‘I want to be remembered as being fearless, resilient, and dominant’. I also strive to do so and to glorify God in all the things that I do.”
Her selection into the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa is one she is grateful for. “There are so many great athletes in Gauteng, let alone South Africa, but I was one of the privileged athletes that got selected.”
After having gone through a gruelling club athletics season in 2021, facing an injury to her groin, she is grateful to God for a wonderful season, as she worried she was not going to be able to compete at her best this year. “I was more grateful that my hard work paid off. I was looking forward to wear Green and Gold to represent my country and moreover to have fun and meet new friends.”
She further attributed her success to her parents, sisters, her long jump coach Patience Ntshingila, sprinting coach Jannie van der Merwe and her school, Northwest Christian School in Northcliff for their love and support.
The young sportswoman’s message to her peers, especially young black athletes like her, is for them to know there are no limits to their talent and abilities. “Use them and every opportunity to the best of your ability and do not ever let anyone make you doubt yourself or make you feel less.
You are more than enough and capable. If you don’t achieve your goals it’s okay, never give up. It will happen when you least expect it, no matter what your background is or where you come from, if you have dreams go and chase them.”
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