The Proteas national team hockey player, Edith Molikoe, is an unashamedly daddy’s girl.
Her dad, John, is, after all, the one who has inspired her to never accept mediocrity when doing sports and encouraged her to be the best she can be.
The TuksHockey women’s co-captain still remembers the day she jogged with her dad as a youngster. She was struggling to keep up and thinking about stopping. But her dad was not having any of that.
To this day, Molikoe can remember what he said that day to her – “Keep going. There’s no looking back. Once you’ve started something, the only way is to move forward.”
She has taken these words to heart. Another memorable moment was when she was selected for the South African team going to the Tokyo Olympic Games.
That day, her dad said, “There’s no going back now, Edith. You have to believe in yourself, as great things await you. I’m proud of you.
“My dad is also the one who has told me to respect my opponents, actually everyone I meet. And that nothing beats hard work and dedication. And to make the most of every opportunity. He believes that from any chance, good things can come. His words and wisdom have been guiding me throughout my life.”
Molikoe is quite versatile when it comes to playing hockey. She has also represented South Africa in indoor hockey. A definite highlight was earlier this year when the South African Indoor Women’s hockey team finished fourth in the World Champs.
“Playing both game formats has helped me be a better player. Indoor hockey is much faster, so you have to be quicker, and the space you play is smaller. So you have to adapt your technique, and that has helped me when playing field hockey.”
In field hockey, she plays as a “freeman”. It boils down to being an extra player in the defence.
According to the Tuks player, the main requirement of playing as a “freeman” is to think on your feet.
“You must be able to read the game and come up with solutions within milliseconds. Every so often, I am the one who has to take on an opponent for the ball. You can’t afford to be intimidated. Whether you play the Dutch or against the Germans, you must commit to going for them. They are after only players, as you are. In that moment, it boils down to who brings it on and who wants it the most.”
These skills would be tested at the end of October when the Proteas will play the African Hockey Tournament to Paris in Pretoria. If Molikoe and her teammates win, there is a real chance that they will get to compete at the Paris Games next year.