The Sunday Mail
IMAN JOHNSON gets the weird looks each time she tells friends that her dream is to become a professional
hockey player.
Hailing from Mbare, a high density suburb renowned for producing mostly footballers, the 20-year old is determined to write a unique fairytale.
And the nation is already taking notice of Johnson’s exploits, with the forward having been called up to the senior national team after smashing in 37 goals during the just-ended Harare Indoor League season.
“I always dream big and this call-up to the national team is the beginning of great many things to come” said the Harmony Rainbows star.
“My desire has always been to play for the national team and I intend to make the most of this opportunity while working towards my dream of playing in the Dutch League.”
Johnson’s 37-goal haul saw her bettering her 2014 feat of 35 goals.
However, her efforts were not enough to propel Harmony Rainbows to the league title as the side finished third behind champions Hippo and Sunrise Geese.
“On the personal front I enjoyed the season, it was my best because last year I scored 35 goals. I think the goals were a result of the hard work I put in at training,” said Johnson.
“As a team we gave our best, but we had a serious challenge in terms of playing personnel as some of our players would not pitch up for matches. It was really difficult for our coach Alec Isulu.”
The 2014 Hockey Association of Zimbabwe’s Most Promising Junior Player award winner is also on a mission to spread the gospel of hockey in Mbare.
She has set up an Under-14 team that trains at Stodart Hall Netball Courts each day.
“I have my Iman Cassandra (IC) Foundation, my own club for Under-14s from Mbare,” said Johnson.
“My big dream is to see hockey spread all over Zimbabwe, from high-density suburbs to rural areas.
“I also want to encourage parents to support their children. Most parents feel discouraged because hockey equipment is expensive, but my message to them is ‘give your child all the support and they will make you proud’.
“At IC Foundation we got support from Mark Manolios, who assisted us with sticks, while I also used some money I got as allowances when we toured South Africa with the U-21s in 2013 to buy additional equipment,” she said.
