Mija Kliment’s Olympic Dream

Soon after reaching her target of making the PSI Africa All Star indoor hockey team, Mija Kliment of Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape has now set her sights on being an Olympian one day.

Kliment, who plays as a goalkeeper, was part of the Vipers PE U14 girls’ side that successfully defended their Indoor Hockey National Championship title in 2021 when they beat the Cape Seals in the final.

At the event only four goals were scored against Kliment, which landed her the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade.

The 14-year-old was also selected to join the PSI Africa All Star which will tour Europe, from 2-13 January 2023.

Through hard work, determination and the support from her father and coach, Kliment believes she will reach her dream of competing at the Olympic Games.

Speaking with gsport, Kliment shares her indoor hockey journey to date and aspirations to be a lawyer.

Mija, thank you so much for taking time to speak to gsport. Could you please tell us briefly who you are and what sparked your interest for indoor hockey?

My name is Mija Kliment I am 14 years old. I am just like a normal kid who likes to play hockey. I am normally out with my friends or maybe studying for school.

When I was younger my dad said I had a big passion and this fire in me for hockey. He thought I should be a goalkeeper instead of an outfield player.

So, that’s how it started and at the time, I was already playing for first team with the older girls in Grade seven.

After that, my dad got me involved in indoor hockey because he wanted to improve my skills. I put a lot of work into it with some coaches, but right now my coach is Matt Blair – he helps me out with private training.

Ever since I have been training with him my hockey has improved and that is how we were able to win gold two times in a row.

How long have you been playing indoor hockey and what to you enjoy the most about playing the sport?

I have been playing indoor hockey since I was 11. I enjoy playing with others and to play against and with new players because it teaches you new skills.

What has been you biggest achievement so far?

So far, my biggest achievement would probably be that fact that I am an SA player now and I will be touring Europe in 2023.

Your team just successfully defended their Indoor Hockey National Championship title in 2021, that must be very exciting!

Yes, we have won gold medals, two years in a row now with the same team and we were able to defend our gold medal.

It’s very exciting because we all know each other, although we were playing against people who we did not know.

It was fun to also watch the girls and see how much fun they were having and meeting new people from different franchises.

Also, you must be excited to have been chosen as part of the Africa All Star team.

Yes, it’s very exciting I didn’t think that I would make the team. We were working really hard to try and get that and I am very grateful to my dad and to my coaches that were helping me out through all of it.

Does this achievement now put you in the right direction in terms of where you would like to take the sport in the future?

Hockey has been my thing since I was 11 years old, my dad got me into it, so I have been very into it. Recently, from the Under 13 tour when we won our first gold medal, it made me more passionate, and it made me feel like I can have more achievements and I can get better then All Stars.

So, I’m heading in the right direction where I could move forward and maybe get something bigger like Olympics one day.

Speaking about Olympics, where do you see yourself in the next couple of years?

I feel like I could try and get to the Olympics, that is my ultimate dream.

Would you like to make indoor hockey a full-time career or do you have other plans?

I think I would make my hockey full-time, but I also want to a lawyer when I am older. So, I think those will be my two careers.

Lastly, who do you look up to?

I definitely look up to my private trainer coach Matt Blair. He was a goalkeeper as well. He was the one who told my dad that I should try for indoor.

Ever since I started working with him my hockey improved drastically and I look up to him so much!

Photo 1 Caption: Soon after reaching her target of making the PSI Africa All Star indoor hockey team, Mija Kliment of Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape has now set her sights on being an Olympian one day. Photo: Supplied