WWC’s heroine leads shining example at first-ever FIFA tournament
- Tshepiso Mametela
Punching far above her weight at the first-ever FISU eSports Challenge Football, Wits Wargames Clubs’ (WWC) exciting heroine and a bona fide psychology whizz, Khaalidah Mohammed, led a shining example in a sport which is, arguably, male-dominated.
This as for the first time in the history of the world, a virtual FIFA pitch was rolled out and players from around the globe invited to showcase their skills with the controller, en route to claiming an acclaimed place as an inaugural competition winner at the 6 to 16 July event.
WWC’s Mohammed competed as part of a group of 12 female players divided into two groups comprising six participants each. Having already shone as the only female at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) tournament last year, it was an instant no-brainer that she would blaze into contention at this first of its kind FIFA online tournament.
With only a week to prepare, Mohammed braced herself for a beast unknown to her, but the excitement of it all paved a clear path for prime contention. The opportunity, despite admittedly being overcome by being “scared and the worst at FIFA gaming”, Mohammed said she had to put her best foot forward.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” she said. “I was and, today, still scared because I don’t really play FIFA. I’m [possibly] the worst but I was told to do my best and that doing my best would make them proud. This encouragement is what allowed me to be part of this amazing opportunity. I would have been an idiot [sic] to let it pass … my participation [as a female] sets the tone for future generations to come.”
The 21-year-old added she went into the tournament with some clear hopes and aspirations. While playing the best she could and raking up whatever manner of results she could, important to her was giving it her best … come win or lose.
“This tournament is going to become something which happens on a yearly basis, and that allows me and Wits, the opportunity to search for new eSports players within our student bodies and so forth,” shed added.
Speaking on the challenges she experienced, particularly at the backdrop of the on-going coronavirus pandemic which has engulfed the world, Mohammed, who doubles up as a Wits Underwater Club (WUC) member, said her lack of access to sufficient internet connection or a PlayStation console at home made for tough going.
She, however, commended Michael Dick, head of sport at Wits Sport and sports officer, Macdonald Mashao, for their prompt actions in procuring a FIFA game for her to play, along with arranging several other necessities needed to prepare.
Mashao added that the development and a Wits student-athlete’s subsequent participation at the tournament, boded well for the institution going, more so as Mohammed was the only female from not only the institution, but from South Africa, to take part.
“For Wits Sport, the fact that she was the only female at USSA last year, and now again, makes a statement when it comes to equality and inclusion of females in a sport which is male dominated,” said Mashao, adding, “It bodes well for the institution as we get that female representation at an international level.”