Balance sport and academics

AFTER meeting my role model Hashim Amla, I was decided on my dreams and aspirations: I wanted to one day play first-class cricket and make my family and community proud of me.

Such an endeavour, notwithstanding the inspiration and guidance of the famous player, would require discipline, dedication and sacrifice. This was something I committed myself to – from early-morning training sessions to after-midnight study routines.

This rigorous, steadfast attitude culminated in me achieving six distinctions – in maths, English, Afrikaans, computer applications technology, engineering graphics and design, and life orientation – and being placed in the top five pupils at Crawford International College North Coast and recognised as one of the top matriculants in KwaZulu-Natal.

I also won the Cricketer of the Year award at the end of my matric year at Crawford, and I captained the school’s first team from Grade 10 to Grade 12. Principal Vernon David commended me for this sterling effort.

My motivation has not only been moulded by my having been coached by Hashim and Ahmed Amla, but also the support and belief of my dad (Sharan) and mom (Julie).

I will now study civil engineering at university.

My advice to the matriculants who passed is that they choose their field of study carefully.

And to the matric pupils of 2022, I recommend that they maintain a balance between sport and academics, to achieve a relaxed and heathly state of mind.

ARYAN HARICHARAN

Tongaat