“It feels good to have won, it shows that hardwork pays off,” said Musfiquh, following her impressive performance.
In September, she won the under-18 SA title in Oudtshoorn, beating the number one ranked player, Danisha Patel, form Gauteng, in the final.
When asked if she expected to dominate in the way she did, the young player, who is hoping to join the Navy next year, said: “I always aim to win every match in every division that I take part in. So, I got exactly what I set out to do.”
Coach Graham van As, who has been working with Musfiquh since she started playing at the age of 12, could barely contain his delight as his young charge took to the podium. Van As was quick to point out that talent alone does not guarantee results.
“She is one of the most hardworking players on and off the board. She is very dedicated and always willing to listen to good advice.” He said two years ago at the Africa Zone 6 championships in Botswana, she was the only junior on the senior national team and won the under-18 title. In other action, Top TTC’s Keenan Jooste won boy’s under-18 title, and the men’s senior title was won by CF Topspinners’ Shane Overmeyer.