Northern Cape archers eye international stage, but support is vital

AS ARCHERY continues to flourish at grassroots level in the Northern Cape, the province's rising stars are now preparing to make their mark on the international stage. With several archers selected to represent South Africa abroad, the spotlight is turning to how far local talent can go – and what support is needed to get them there.

Northern Cape Archers Go Global

The rising standard of the sport in the province has caught national attention. Four archers from the Northern Cape have been selected for the AGA-SA National Development Team. These athletes will compete at the AGA Federation International Tournament in Namibia next month, facing off against competitors from Botswana, Canada, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The selected archers are Fathima Mustapha and Athrah Arnold of Girls High Kimberley, Otniel van Wyk of Adamantia High, and Hezekiah Lodewyk of Homevale Primary. Mustapha also competed in the same competition where Pierre Fourie of the Boshof Warriors Archery Club broke the record, highlighting the deep talent pool currently emerging in the region.

A Sport for Everyone

Archery stands out not just for its competitiveness but also for its inclusivity. The sport is accessible to all ages and abilities and uniquely promotes gender equality. Mixed-gender competitions are common, and adaptive archery programmes are in place to accommodate participants with physical limitations.

Philip Kotzé, head of the new AGA Northern Cape Committee, recently held promising talks with the Northern Cape Sport and Recreation Authority on June 11. “The Authority’s favourable response to questions about archery development signals growing recognition of our sport’s potential,” Kotzé said.

Barriers to Participation Remain

Despite its success, Northern Cape archery faces urgent challenges. Most critical is the lack of a Provincial Archery Regulatory body that includes all current archery federations in the region. This hampers archers' opportunities to obtain provincial and national colours, an essential credential for advancement in the sport.

Moreover, financial support remains a significant hurdle. Many of the province’s most talented archers must self-fund their participation at provincial, national, and international levels. This results in a tragic loss of opportunity for athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, some of whom are among the province’s most gifted.

The upcoming international tournaments in Namibia this year, Botswana in 2026, and Canada in 2027, are vital platforms for showcasing local talent. However, without adequate funding, many deserving archers may not be able to attend.

A Call for Community and Corporate Support

As archery continues to gain international attention, the Northern Cape stands at a crucial juncture. The talent is evident. The infrastructure is growing. What is now required is the support of businesses, organisations, and individuals to ensure the sport’s sustainability and accessibility.

The province has already seen what is possible. In just three years, it has grown from two clubs to a network producing record-breakers and international competitors. With the right backing, there is no limit to how far Northern Cape archery can go.

Local stakeholders interested in supporting the development of archery in the Northern Cape are encouraged to reach out to the AGA Northern Cape Committee through affiliated clubs. In a sport where accuracy and passion go hand in hand, every contribution makes a difference, helping to ensure that skill, not financial status, determines who hits the mark.