Sierra Leone refugee Rashid Kabba makes history in his adopted country

15 May 2021

Sierra Leone refugee Rashid Kabba makes history in his adopted country

Westfields Sports High’s Rashid Kabba, 15, has made history with his selection in the Australian team as the fourth youngest ever male athlete named in the national junior team. A refugee from Sierra Leone, Kabba came to Australia with his mother aged one in 2006.

This week Kabba was amongst an Australian team of 49 athletes selected to compete in the Oceania Athletics Invitational series on the Gold Coast in June. In April Australia announced they would not be sending a team to the World U20 Championships in Kenya in August, due to security and logistical challengers caused by COVID.

Kabba, who is 15 until October, is the fourth youngest male ever selected for the Australian team, behind sprinter Matthew Bertacco (V, 2012) and race walkers Troy Sundstrom (N, 1996) and Matthew O’Donnell (N, 1990). The World U20 Championships, originally named World Juniors, were first held in 1986 and the 2021 championships, if they go ahead, will be the first championships Australia have not attended in the 35-year history of the event.

Kabba was selected in the men’s 4x100m relay after a wise strategy likely devised by his coach Dan Suchy at Westfields. He not only competed in his own under-17 events, but also ‘threw his hat in the ring’ for selection by competing in the under-20 100m event. It paid off as Kabba placed third and earned selection in the relay.

Rashid Kabba was one of the most successful athletes at the Australian junior championships, winning five medals (bronze U20 100m, gold U17 110 hurdles, gold U17 200m, silver U17 100m, silver U18 4x100m). He reflected on the decision to compete in the U20 100m.

“Doing the U20 100m was just a way to gain more confidence for my age group,” said Kabba. “I honestly didn't know that I would even make the team but my coach did say there was a possibility, so I went for it.”

Aged only 15, Kabba was initially a little apprehensive about competing internationally in an under-20 event. “I'm gonna be honest when my coach (Dan Suchy) told me that I was chosen for the Australian U20 Team I had mixed feelings towards it, I was happy that I was selected, but felt a bit uneasy knowing I'm going to race people far from my own age, but with the results I've accomplished in the U20 100m that uneasiness turned to excitement. I'm just gonna go out there and do what I do best and have fun whilst doing it.”

Generally, Kabba has managed to negotiate the COVID hampered period okay.

“I think the only problems I had with COVID was staying fit and not knowing when I would run again since the majority of the comps were cancelled. So I spent most of my time training at my local grass track, trying to stay fit during that period of time.”

He is a big fan of his sport. “It is a sport not only I enjoy but people around enjoy it with me. I make loads of friends and I’m glad we can be friendly.”

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Rashid Kabba in the under-20 100m final. (Courtesy of David Tarbotton)