For the love of skating
SKATING has always been the most appealing sport to Lindokuhle Khongwana, 17, and now he is enjoying the perks that come with the sport he loves and enjoys the most.
Khongwana, who lives in NU1, was sent to Pretoria to do a course in coaching, sports administration and discipline.
"It was a very nice experience for me. It was also my first time on a plane, but I enjoyed every moment of the trip. I came back with a lot of knowledge. Now I know how to become the best coach, I know how to work with a team and they also taught me that drugs and sport do not go hand in hand," said Lindokuhle.
He started skating in 2003 with no roller skates or proper outfit, but that did not dampen his spirits.
"When I first started skating I had to borrow roller skates from one of my friends but I kept on practising until I was ready to join the Motherwell Skaters. I started as a beginner, but now I am more advanced," said Lindokuhle.
He has participated in a number of competitions, including national championships.
"I have entered the national championships five times. I won a bronze medal in a relay team in 2010. I also got a bronze medal in the 500 sprinter in 2011," he said.
Lindokuhle said his team, Motherwell Roller Skating Club, and the passion he had for the sport were what inspired him.
"I love my skating team. They keep me going. Next year in March I am going to represent the Eastern Cape Roller Skaters competing in the national championships in Pretoria.
"I am very excited about that, I hope that I come back with a medal, I cannot wait to represent my province," said Lindokuhle.