Those who know Stanger entrepreneur Aadil Khan can attest that 2020 was a watershed year for the “young gun”.

Being lauded for his selfless contributions to Community Sport and Recreation by the then MEC Meshack Radebe in the KZN Legislature inspired Khan to devote more of his time and energy to add value to sport from grassroots to the provincial level.

Sadly a motorcycle accident put a damper on his playing career which began as a sixteen year old for Darnall Volleyball Club from the KZN North Coast.

A decade down the line the young man has set the bar high for amateur volleyball in Kwa Zulu Natal as he became the first owner/manager in the province of a volleyball club.  Khan “bought” the franchise of Manor Volleyball Club from Stanger. With financial support and sound management Manor VC has progressed from district level competition to rubbing shoulders with the elite teams at the KZN Premier League.

 Reminiscing about his early administration positions he held, Khan tells us that it was his passion which blossomed in 1998 after getting elected as the Secretary of iLembe District Volleyball structure that put him on a trajectory to dizzy heights.

He went on further in 2010 by getting elected as the Competitions Director of KwaZulu Natal Volleyball. True to the adage that you ‘cannot keep a good man down’ Khan rose to in the ranks of KZN Volleyball when he was elected to the crucial position of Treasurer which he occupies presently (2021). With his administrative skills and business acumen being widely known Khan was enticed to join the KZN Sports Confederation.  Khan says he is humbled by the opportunity to serve in the KZN Sports Confed.

 “ It is through the grace of God that I am afforded the opportunity  to serve on the prestigious  KZN Sport Confederation where I hold the positions of Head of Presidency and Marketing & Communications,” Khan intimated proudly.

 Given the several accolades bestowed upon him Khan is an inspiration to young people. He is a shining example of administrative dexterity as he became one of the founding commission members of the KZN Legends Program. The commission’s inaugural meeting was held on 25 December 2019. Having served on that committee with the likes of Legends stalwarts, Mr Thami Mchunu, Prem Vyapuri (former Director Community Sport) & Alec Skhosana (then Acting President of SASCOC & President of ASA), the stalwarts acknowledged that they had in their midst a ‘gem of an administrator’ when KZNSC co-hosted a hugely successful Launch of Legends Program with all the “bells and whistles” at a popular Umhlanga hotel.

 Employed full time  as the Director of his family-owned business involved in Structural & Civil Engineering, Khan has however also committed himself to sport which gives him an adrenaline rush.

In 2018 he was again appointed as the Head of Delegation for the KZN Kingdom Rhinos who went on to win Gold for the Men’s indoor and Silver & Bronze for Men & Women in the Beach Volleyball category.

To further his knowledge in the sport he loves with a passion Khan has attended many training courses and conferences from 2011 to 2013. A high light for Khan was attending the National Coaches Conferences held in JHB which gave him a window of opportunity to become a qualified coach. Spurred on by his desire to attain a coaching certificate Khan went on to become a certified coach, referee and an administrator in volleyball.

 Aadil’s ability to make sport self sustainable has been identified over the years as he raked in a substantial funding for the sport he serves.  Given his background of working closely with Government officials and private sector gives Khan the edge over his competitors who are also trying to source funding from the same pool of sponsors for their respective codes.

 “ My aim is to make the KZN Sports Confederation a ‘Brand’ that not only will be funded by government but will also be targeted by the corporate sector who will want to be part of a winning brand, said Khan.