adminBrighton Zhawi
FARIRAI NENGARE is a banker with an Olympic dream.
During the day, the 26-year-old Zimbabwe women’s field hockey defender is sleekly dressed in formal apparel, going about business at a local bank as a junior analyst.
After the business hours, Nengare puts on her hockey gear to play a sport she loves.
“It’s just the sacrifice we are all willing to make, it kind of pushes you to free up your time,” said Nengare on the balancing act between work and sport.
The Sunrise Chicks player is part of the Zimbabwe squad that has been picked for the Olympic Games qualifier in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from August 12-18.
“I am very excited, it has been a long journey of hockey and you finally realize that you are actually good enough to be in the squad and that you are playing at international level.
“It was an overwhelming feeling. All the effort, all the time that I have been putting into it is actually turning into something.”
But is Nengare “hockey-crazy’’? Does she shadow-play the game in the office corridors at work?
“Not really, but we are constantly getting updates from our coach via WhatsApp. People also send a little bit of encouragement throughout the day.
“That’s when you start thinking about getting practice.”
The former Rhodes University student revealed that her hockey career used to be a secret to her workmates.
But since they got to know of her talent, they have been giving her plenty of support.
“I kept it to myself and then when I took leave earlier this year to go for the indoor tournament in Durban, everyone kind of figured out.
“They are quite supportive, some of them have watched games online,” she said.
“We have to make sure everything we are doing is 100 percent perfect. We have the basics covered and a lot of team work and communication. All the little things have to come together,” she said.
“It takes a lot of planning and effort because right now we are practicing after work or school. Some of the girls are still in school. We have to plan ahead and free up our respective calendars to accommodate our games.
“We have very lovely people with vibrant personalities in the team. Everyone is there for hockey and we know it’s a team thing.
“We are all there for one dream – to make it to Tokyo 2020.”
Nengare is optimistic ahead of the forthcoming qualifier. She says just like many Zimbabweans, the national women’s team was inspired by the Gems’ performance at the just ended Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England.
“They have proved their worth to the whole world and I think it’s good start. Hopefully people will start investing in minority sports.
“It makes me feel very proud, they have really made a name for themselves and I am thinking we can also do that and show people there is a national hockey team that can play.” But one cannot talk of Zimbabwe women’s hockey and the Olympics without mentioning the 1980 Golden Girls.
“The Golden Girls obviously did it, we can also do it bit by bit.
“It’s not just a qualifier for us, it’s a step in the right direction for Zim hockey. lt’s a time to improve our ranking, a time to show that Zimbabwe hockey is improving.
“We have a squad of girls that is dedicated to make Zim hockey appear on the world stage,” Nengare said.
Online Reporter