The parents of a 16-year-old cycling protégé from Gaylee in Blackheath are asking for the public’s help to take his young career to the international level. Faraz Khatieb has been selected to represent South Africa at the Continental Africa Championship in Kenya next month.

According to Reygana Khatieb, Faraz’s mother, her son lives for cycling and has very big dreams. “If you’ve seen Faraz cycling around the area, you probably think he’s just another kid on a bike but let me tell you what you are actually seeing. You are seeing a 16-year-old who rushes home from school every day to train many kilometres four days a week, and races over weekends in the U19 category but competes against elite riders aged 23 and older – and consistently finishes in the top 10.

Serial winner

“He’s a boy who was part of the Tour Du Cap winning team earlier this year, came 16th in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, two seconds off the winning time, won the WP Winter League, came second in the SA Omnium Track Championship, finished first Junior and ninth overall in the Durban Dash and was the second-placed junior -tenth overall – in the Tour de Worcester. He eats whilst getting dressed after school because every minute counts before he must get back on that bike”, says Reygana.

According to Reygana, Faraz began cycling when he was almost 13 years old. “Both his father, Ahmed Khatieb, and his brother, Mihran Khatieb, are cyclists. Faraz grew up watching them and was naturally drawn to the sport. After just two years of cycling, he outrode his dad on Polkadraai. That’s when we knew this wasn’t just a hobby – he had real talent. Even though he comes from a strong cycling family, we did not initially realise just how talented he truly is. Over the past two years, he’s grown tremendously and is currently rated as one of the top riders in both road and track cycling for his age group”, says the proud mother.

Financial situation

She is concerned that the family’s financial situation could curtail her son’s dreams. “My husband is our sole breadwinner. I’m trying to build a food-vending business. We’re doing everything we can, but the numbers are crushing us. We only received confirmation on 21st October that he is going, and he now needs R4 500 by 31st October and R10 469 by 5 November. This is the opportunity we’ve been working towards for nearly four years. But here’s what I’m terrified to admit – we might not be able to send him.

“For cycling to become a career – not just a dream – Faraz must race internationally. In Europe – Italy, Spain, or the Netherlands – where cycling is a profession and scouts are watching. The timeframe is now, at 16, when teams are looking for young talent. A professional team in Rome has invited him to try out if we can get him there. But first, we must get him to Kenya. He must keep this momentum going”, she says.

According to Faraz, you don’t get what you wish for – you get what you work for. “I have one life, and I want to live a good one. My dream is to become a professional cyclist and prove that with dedication and hard work, a kid from South Africa can compete at the highest level in the world,” he says.

The family is currently selling braai plates to try to get the money Faraz needs, so if you want to support him, send a WhatsApp message to 081 788 3159.