From ‘Skilpad’ to Shanghai: NC Indoor Soccer League set to compete in China

No gusting or swirling winds, no rain and the resultant mud puddles and heaviness underfoot, just a level playing surface where the ball zips true, and there’s nowhere to hide; no excuses for putting a foot wrong, and no denying obvious skill and execution on the ball.

That is just a taste, the smallest nibble of what indoor soccer can offer players and spectators alike. If anyone would like a more in-depth analysis of the game, the next best thing would be to hop over to Kimberley’s Skilpadsaal at the De Beers Stadium to watch the Northern Cape Indoor Soccer League players do their thing.

Now here’s the thing – they must be doing something very right, because players in this league are currently preparing to take their skills to the global stage as they will be competing in the Far East.

Come October, a select team of players from this league will head to China to represent the Northern Cape – and South Africa – in an international tournament in Shanghai. It’s a landmark moment for the league as well as provincial sport in general.

The Kimberley-based league, the province’s only indoor soccer setup, has grown steadily since its formation six years ago. “We want to see this league growing. Currently, we have six teams – but we want more,” said league chairperson Kgatliso Manake. “There’s a lot of demand for indoor football in the Northern Cape, and I’m extremely happy with how things have been unfolding. The league has grown in leaps and bounds, and we’ve got players from all backgrounds participating.” 

But Manake has a bigger vision. This was witnessed by a small phrase he added: “There’s always room to grow.”

Yet, even before their upcoming trip, players in the league are already reaping the rewards of their hard work in unexpected ways. One athlete said the structure and training have helped him push personal limits, noting that the fitness gains even helped him complete the Comrades Marathon earlier this year.

For Tembelihle Ntanga, one of the league’s players, being part of this family is about more than fitness and competition. “It’s quite an honour. What’s important is the shared vision – a group of individuals driven by the same passion and goals. There’s a real spirit of unity and brotherhood here,” he says.

While the focus is currently on their October campaign, Manake stressed that this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan moment. The league is laying long-term foundations, particularly through youth development programs aimed at growing the sport in the province.

From its modest start at the Skilpadsaal to the international stage in Shanghai, the Northern Cape Indoor Soccer League is a reminder that ambition, passion and hard work knows no geographical bounds. 

With dedication, unity, and no small amount of flair, the province is proving that it can play – and hopefully win – on any surface, anywhere in the world.