The Sunday Mail
It’s not often that one gets to share a changing room with some of the world’s top international sports stars, but for Zimbabwe hockey star Tendayi Maredza, it is slowly becoming a norm.
Maredza (26) has been on the hockey International All-Star team on three different occasions now.
He marked his third stint with three goals in the Pro Series Indoor in South Africa last week.
“Well, playing alongside the World Cup Dutch winning players and a two-time Olympic medallist Benni Wess, from Germany, was truly a great experience,” said Maredza of his experience in the PSI tournament which pitted a World All-Stars team against hosts South Africa.
“I learnt a lot from those guys.
They play top level hockey so there was a lot to learn in terms of the game and the different cultures,” he said.
The centre forward says this experience has had a huge impact in his career.
“We rarely play international games so to play in such a team full of hockey legends was the best.
“It has always been my dream to play alongside top internationals and to get as much exposure as possible in the sport.
‘That is something that is really lacking here in Zimbabwe.”
He continued:
“I made my debut four years ago through a guy called Nick Simpson and my coach (Porge Williams) who linked me up with PSI.
“I was invited to take part in an African All-Stars team that played South Africa Indoor team, then the following year I was selected to take part in the International All Stars Team,” Maredza said. Maredza is hopeful his participation in the PSI All-Stars will open up more doors for him.
“Not at the moment but I am sure in the near future,” he said.
“I feel close to playing at that level, as some of those All-Star guys, but I am not yet there in terms of skill level.
“Maybe with more exposure and practice I will get there,” said the forward, who scored three goals in six games during the series.
In a year, his local team Hippo has won every trophy in the local league.
Maredza will surely enjoy a merry Christmas.
“It has been a good year for me and my club and I thank the Lord.
“I will definitely have a great Christmas,” he said.
