IT is not everyday you see three siblings all playing multiple sports in one family.
It is even rarer to see each sibling competing in one of these sports at a national level.
And it is probably impossible to find two siblings scoring centuries on the same day in the Secondary Schools’ Cricket League (SSCL).
However, that is the case of the Mohammed family from Charlieville as Zakariyya, 16, Jannah, 13, and Hidayah, ten, are all talented athletes who have been excelling in their respective disciplines.
Attention came to the family as Jannah scored 227 not out for ASJA Girls’ Charlieville in a SSCL girls’ cricket game against Chaguanas North Secondary on February 14.
Her brother Zakariyya was also playing and batting in an under-16 game for Presentation College, Chaguanas during his sister’s whirlwind innings.
“When I came out for the water break, I heard she made the double hundred. I was on 40-something then.
“I made it my goal to make 100 that day to try and match her and to come out not out as well.”
He ended on 132 not out.
Talent overflowing in the family
Shareeda, their mother, said the siblings have always had a competitive rivalry and not necessarily in sport.
“Jannah asked what Zakariyya got in SEA in each subject area. They are always trying to out do each other.
“We don’t even fuel it, because we always tell them that everyone is different.”
Shareeda saw Jannah’s innings in person and thought it was unbelievable.
“I saw everything happen. I woke up the next day and asked, ‘Did this really happen?’
“It is an amazing accomplishment and we are so proud of her.”
Jannah started playing cricket at the age of three, due to her brother’s involvement.
Shareeda said, “She never played with dolls or anything girly. She followed in her brother’s footsteps.”
On her innings, Jannah said she was only aiming to make 50.
“The 100 came and then I was just aiming to make how much ever I could have gotten.”
Jannah also plays table tennis at the national level and is currently the national under-15 champion.
“It is really nice but it is a lot of hard work to make the team.”
Asked if cross-training helps with one sport over the other, Jannah said, “Table tennis helps with the cricket more as it helps with my movement and hand-eye coordination.”
Shareeda said Jannah has expressed an interest in cricket as her career. Jannah hopes to play for the senior West Indies women’s team by age 20.
[caption id="attachment_1140550" align="alignnone" width="858"] The Mohammed family: from left Shareeda, Zakariyya, Hidayah (in front), Jannah and Rasheed. - Photo courtesy Shareeda Mohammed[/caption]
Zakariyya also started his cricket career early and credits his father as his inspiration.
“Ever since I was a baby, I was around the sport a lot. I always had a liking for being active and picked up cricket when I was four.”
He has gone on to play nationally at both the under-13 and under-15 levels, having served as captain and vice-captain of those teams, respectively.
Zakariyya also pla
