Exclusive: Mustapha Cassiem Urges Sports Minister to Invest in Hockey After Historic Bronze Medal Win

The dust has settled, but for some, winning the Bronze medal at the World Indoor Hockey Cup is still sinking in. 

Captain Mustapha Cassiem reflects on what the occasion has meant for the team, who have had to overcome challenges that most professional teams don’t face.

Winning Bronze

The Blitzstoks, as they are known, secured South Africa’s first-ever international hockey medal, defeating powerhouse Belgium in the Bronze Medal match.

"It still hasn’t sunk in, really. It is the first-ever medal South Africa has won on the global stage. I always tell people who have asked me the same question: it’s one of the proudest moments of my life and sporting career," he told Sportsboom.co.za. 

"History has been made, and we can look back at this moment as something we sacrificed a lot for as a group, as individuals, and as a coaching staff. For us, this was special."

Emotions From Overcoming Adversity

A viral video captured Cassiem’s raw emotions after winning Bronze during a post-match interview.

"It was pure emotion. South African hockey players, both women and men, have sacrificed so much. This was for the people at home, for those who didn’t believe in us, and for those who supported us. The sport in South Africa is growing, but it’s not where it should be in terms of support and recognition."

"I hope this achievement has sparked something and made people more aware of the sport. We want change; we want hockey to grow and get the recognition it deserves."

From Humble Beginnings to the World Stage

Cassiem hails from Mitchells Plain, a town in Cape Town, and shares the field with his older brother, Dayaan, representing South Africa together.

"Credit has to go to my parents, they sacrificed a lot to give us the opportunity to express our talent and hard work."

"I come from a background where you could either go down the right path or the wrong path. Looking back, it’s sad to see some of my friends choosing a different path."

"Having my brother as a role model is extremely special. He set the path for me from our school days at Bishops Diocesan College. Playing alongside him is amazing; we have a close bond on and off the field. We just know where to find each other."

Player of the Tournament

Cassiem was named Player of the Tournament after leading his team to the Bronze medal.

"It’s something I wrote in my notebook: ‘I want to be the best player in the tournament.’ I sacrificed a lot to be the best I could be, both mentally and physically, at the tournament. Credit must go to my team, the coaching staff, and those close to me."

"It’s an amazing achievement, but I don’t want to dwell on it too much. The [Bronze] medal is something I will never forget. I’m just happy I could contribute to the team and represent my country."

Financial Support Issues

Hockey South Africa is one of the least recognized sporting bodies in the country, which means minimal financial support from the government. The team had to fight battles off the field just to secure sponsorships and fund their participation in the tournament.

"I have to give credit to Robert Goslett, one of our coaching staff members. He worked tirelessly to get us sponsors, and thanks to that support, we were able to compete at the Indoor Hockey World Cup."

"The team faced many challenges leading up to the tournament. Just a week before departing, we weren’t sure if we would have to pay our own way. That caused a lot of stress for the players and coaching staff."

"Fortunately, we managed to secure enough funding, and the players didn’t have to pay a cent. Thanks to sponsors such as Spar, we made it happen."

Message to the Sports Minister

At the start of his tenure, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie vowed to support smaller sporting federations. However, Hockey SA has yet to receive the necessary backing.

"We want the government and people to invest in hockey. We’ve sacrificed a lot to grow the sport, and we need funding to compete at the highest level, maybe even one day win an Olympic medal."

"Mr. McKenzie, I urge you to invest in hockey. We will give everything on and off the field to ensure South African hockey is represented at the highest level. All we need is your backing and support, and we promise to give our all for our country."