IT IS a dream come true for a 29-year-old wheelchair basketball player to represent South Africa in the 2012 London Paralympics, which start at the end of the month.
Gift Mooketsi has pictured this moment many times while watching his idol, American basketball player Kobe Bryant.
Mooketsi from Lehurutshe near Zeerust in North West has travelled to more than 55 countries to play wheelchair basketball.
"I'm living my dream," he said.
Being paralysed and coming from a disadvantaged background did not stop Mooketsi from dreaming big.
He was born with paralysis of the lower half of his body .
At the age of 15, his parents sent him to Tlamelang School for the Physically Disabled in Gelukspan, North West.
He said that was where his dream of becoming a world wheelchair basketball player began.
"Playing wheelchair basketball is in my blood, it's my love and my passion," he said.
He started playing when he was 16 years old and he has never looked back.
His first breakthrough was when he went to play in Australia, and his team took third position.
Mooketsi said playing against world professionals boosted his confidence.
He said he admires Bryant.
"I sit in front of the TV the whole day when Bryant plays. I like the way he plays," he said.
Mooketsi is the eldest child in the family and the only one who is disabled. He said it took time to accept his condition and that he was lucky to have the support of his family.
"Every time I face a difficult game, I dedicate it to my late grandmother Elizabeth Mooketsi. She believed in me and saw my potential since I was young," Mooketsi said.
He said he does not see himself doing anything else besides playing wheelchair basketball.
"I will die playing basketball. I love it," he said.
He encouraged other people like himself to think what they want in life and then to follow their dreams.
"Believe in God and tell yourself that you are going to make it. Nothing is impossible if you have courage and God on your side," Mooketsi said.
Team SA leaves for London this evening and the games start on August 29 and run until September 9. - tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
Following my dream
IT IS a dream come true for a 29-year-old wheelchair basketball player to represent South Africa in the 2012 London Paralympics, which start at the end of the month.
Gift Mooketsi has pictured this moment many times while watching his idol, American basketball player Kobe Bryant.
Mooketsi from Lehurutshe near Zeerust in North West has travelled to more than 55 countries to play wheelchair basketball.
"I'm living my dream," he said.
Being paralysed and coming from a disadvantaged background did not stop Mooketsi from dreaming big.
He was born with paralysis of the lower half of his body .
At the age of 15, his parents sent him to Tlamelang School for the Physically Disabled in Gelukspan, North West.
He said that was where his dream of becoming a world wheelchair basketball player began.
"Playing wheelchair basketball is in my blood, it's my love and my passion," he said.
He started playing when he was 16 years old and he has never looked back.
His first breakthrough was when he went to play in Australia, and his team took third position.
Mooketsi said playing against world professionals boosted his confidence.
He said he admires Bryant.
"I sit in front of the TV the whole day when Bryant plays. I like the way he plays," he said.
Mooketsi is the eldest child in the family and the only one who is disabled. He said it took time to accept his condition and that he was lucky to have the support of his family.
"Every time I face a difficult game, I dedicate it to my late grandmother Elizabeth Mooketsi. She believed in me and saw my potential since I was young," Mooketsi said.
He said he does not see himself doing anything else besides playing wheelchair basketball.
"I will die playing basketball. I love it," he said.
He encouraged other people like himself to think what they want in life and then to follow their dreams.
"Believe in God and tell yourself that you are going to make it. Nothing is impossible if you have courage and God on your side," Mooketsi said.
Team SA leaves for London this evening and the games start on August 29 and run until September 9. - tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
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