They see us coming from a mile away, says star sprinter

Nuhaa Van Niekerk, 11, a Grade 6 pupil at Parkhurst Primary School in Westridge, booked her spot at next week’s national primary schools championships, in Germiston, following a fine performance in the girls’ under-12 100m finals, at Western Cape championships, at Dal Josefat Stadium, in Paarl, on Saturday March 8.

With temperatures reaching 30°C, the only thing more scorching than the blazing sun was the action on the track. Nuhaa dominated the 100m event, winning all her races throughout the day, except the 150m finals in which she crossed the finish line in a tight second place. However, coach Paul Jacobus is not too concerned, saying it’s more important to enjoy races than winning.

“Look, she's only at the beginning phases of her development as an athlete,” said Jacobus, founder of Elite Athletes Academy, who has helped a number of athletes from the school and in the northern suburbs, where the Academy is based, to reach WP, Western Cape and national levels.

“I believe kids need no stress in their lives, as they are still too young to fully understand the stress factors of life,” he said.

“As far as Nuhaa is concerned, she is very talented and gifted in doing sports, but her real strength is her willingness to learn and she has strong will power,” said Jacobs.

“She did very well last year, even though she didn't medal at nationals, but we hope to medal this year, God willing,” he said.

Parkhurst Primary sports coach Janice Alexander agrees, saying that with her personality, character and potential, she can achieve greater things.

“Sports is meant for everyone, girls can achieve what boys can. It gives them the confidence and it can enhance greater opportunities,” said Alexander, who has known the promising speedster from when she first started at the school, seven years ago.

By all accounts, Nuhaa is in good company, following in the footsteps of former Parkhurst athletes, including teammate and national champion, Lamicah Adamson, with whom she travels to and from training. 

“Lamicah is definitely someone I look up to and admire. My family call her the GOAT,” said Nuhaa.  “She is the closest to my age group and definitely my favourite. She puts in the hard work all year round and her national and provincial records are proof,” she said. 

As one might expect from besties, Nuhaa has also taken to wearing long socks during races, a sight made all too familiar by the older runner, at meets across the city.

“The socks are an identity; it sets us apart from the rest and you can see us coming from a mile away,” she said.

A fan of American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, Nuhaa says she also admires 400m world and Olympic record holder Wayde Van Niekerk, not only because they share the same surname but because he is from South Africa.

An all-round sporty girl, Nuhaa is equally comfortable on the track and on the soccer field, said her father, Shiraaz, president of Westridge-based Saringa Spurs FC and who introduced his daughter to soccer at an early age.

Van Niekerk says it’s important for parents to encourage their children to take part in sports but not to force them.

“I listen to Nuhaa’s voice and concerns. I also let her participate in as many sports as possible so she has the choice of which one she wants to pursue,” he said.

As someone involved with youth development programmes Van Niekerk understands the need for access to adequate facilities

"I definitely feel we need athletic facilities in Mitchell's Plain,” he said.

“Our athletes must go out of Mitchell's Plain to do track practice because there are no facilities here. Many athletes become despondent if they don’t have the facilities to train at or if they can't get to the facilities due to a lack of transport and so on,” he said.