Chemtai: Discipline, hard work and dedication key to my success

Orange player Hellen Chemutai when they played Women League with Strathmore at Citypark. ON 01/11/14 PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Like good old wine, veteran sprinter and former hockey international Hellen Chemtai is becoming better by the day.

Her brilliant performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Club Championships currently on in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, has seen the defending champions win all their matches. She has scored five goals in three matches and remains on course to win this tournament's top scorer's award.

Chemtai, who has been out of competitive hockey for three years, made a comeback this year and has been very impressive for Orange both nationally and international. She attributes her success to discipline, hard work and dedication in training.

"I have learnt that discipline is key to success, not just in sports, but in other aspects of life. The discipline I have gained in sports has made me what I am today," she said.

The former Pangani Girls High School student said juggling between hockey and sprints helped her improve in both disciplines.

"Hockey is more of a sprints game, you need speed to make a good forward, without speed in hockey one cannot succeed."

She added that her passion for hockey has also played a big role in her success and the decision to get back on pitch after a three-year absence.

"I have a passion for hockey and sports in general. I decided to come back because I felt something was amiss, something I could only find if I went back to active sports," she added.

Chemtai says she got a lot of support when she took up hockey while in form three at Pangani School in 1988 and it helped her as she grew in the sport making to the national team a year later.

Chemtai has represented the country in many international events in the 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump and triple jump in addition to hockey.

She boasts of personal best times of 11.05 seconds in 100m, 23.08 seconds in 200m, 53.03 seconds in 400m, 6m long jump and 12.32m in triple jump.

She was also the national 100m and 200m champion for six consecutive years.

Meanwhile, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) of Ghana were on a winning streak as they beat Sharkia of Egypt 4-1 in their women's pool B match. The Ghanaian girls, who have had a good run and remain unbeaten, have scored 20 goals and conceded one.

On Monday, Shams of Egypt gained their first points from a 2-1 victory against Twende of Tanzania.