- Bloemfontein’s Lameez Seedat was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a heart condition, at two and plays hockey for South Africa.
- Lameez is selected to tour Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen and Amsterdam with PSI Africa All Stars, but R30,000 is still needed.
Lameez Seedat was two years old when she was diagnosed with a heart condition. Now she is 15, lives in Bloemfontein and has been picked to play hockey in Europe.
The condition is called Patent Ductus Arteriosus, or PDA. A blood vessel that is there before birth did not close after she was born. She was treated for it.
Her father, Shaaid Seedat, said she was diagnosed with PDA when she was two. He said he is proud to see young women given the chance to represent South Africa through sport.
Shaaid called Lameez an inspiration to other young girls. He said her journey shows what determination and perseverance can achieve.
Lameez does not remember much about her heart condition because she was so young. Learning about her journey has made her appreciate her health.
“You might have difficult moments, but they don’t define your future. Where you start doesn’t determine where you can end up. I had a heart challenge when I was young, and now I am healthy. The challenges are part of my story,” she said.
She plays for the U16A team and has already represented South Africa on a tour to Zimbabwe. Now she has been picked for the PSI Africa All Stars European tour. It will take her to Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen and Amsterdam.
The team is expected to train at a high level and play at least six matches against European opposition.
“To me hockey, it is more than just a sport. It is something I love. It has taught me resilience, challenged me, given me an opportunity to grow and shown me the importance of working hard for something you really want,” she said.
She said representing South Africa is an honour.
“I am incredibly proud because it is not just for myself. My family, friends and coaches have been with me through the wins and losses, the early morning training and everything in between,” she said.
Lameez said her family has been a source of strength through difficult times and has taught her to keep believing in herself. She said the opportunity shocked her at first, especially when she realised how far hockey had taken her.
Her biggest dream is to keep representing South Africa and eventually compete at international level. She also hopes to inspire other young girls to chase their dreams, whatever challenges they face. She wants to pursue her education too.
The European tour costs R65,000. So far R35,000 has been raised, which leaves R30,000 still to find.
A BackaBuddy campaign called ‘Help Lameez Take Her Hockey Dream to Europe’ has been launched to raise the rest. It has a target of R30,000, and R5,300 has been raised so far.
Her family is asking individuals, businesses, sporting organisations and the wider community for donations or sponsorship.
