Tug of War gaining traction in Kimberley

Tug of war is slowly gaining traction in South Africa, and here in Kimberley, the sport is growing in popularity by the day. But what is it about Tug of war that has drawn so many to the sport?

First of all, what is the sport all about?

Two teams compete in the game, which goes by several names, including War of Tug, Tug of War, tug a war, rope war, rope pulling, and tugging war. In the sport of tug of war, two teams compete against one another in a contest of strength by pulling on opposite ends of a rope with the intention of advancing the rope a predetermined distance in one direction while resisting the pull of the opposing team.

Despite its obscure beginnings, this sport was played in Cambodia, ancient Egypt, Greece, India, and China. Researchers have discovered sculptures and paintings associated with this sport that may date from the middle of the ninth century.

The contest itself is open to both men and women and there are competitions taking place and clubs competing all over the world. It is a part of the World Games, and an international sport with the International Federation for Tug of War holding the World Championships for national teams.

On the local front, the sport has been growing, hand over fist in recent times from humble beginnings.

During the year-end function and awards ceremony of the Pirates Tug of War Club in Kimberley, coach Anton Groenewald said that in 2018, after a couple of children from Landboudal came to Kimberley and participated in tug of war, he decided to form a club in the city.

“We were only 12 people who came together at the driving range on that day to start making arrangements,” Groenewald told the DFA. “We then started training at Adamantia High School, where we didn't have lights to practise with but used the vehicles that were there to provide lighting for the practice sessions,” he added.

Groenewald went on to tell how they started to grow in numbers in the sport and started competing in the senior, junior, and barefoot (Under-13) divisions. It was then that he started looking around for a site where he could practise, and thus got permission to set up his equipment and develop the field on the Pirates Club site with the help of his sponsors.

After that, they renamed the club the Pirates Tou-Trek Club.

“We started to achieve good success, and some of the athletes were selected for the national team, which represented South Africa in Zimbabwe. One of our athletes was also selected to represent South Africa's Under-23 team in Ireland.”

Groenewald said that COVID then struck, which caused the numbers to decline due to them not being able to practise or take part in any competitions.

“When we were allowed again to go on with our sport after COVID, we started growing in numbers again, and in 2022 we had athletes who were going to represent us in Namibia’s African Games. Kobus Louw and I were coaches for the teams in Namibia.

“We are pleased to announce that our club now has 137 members,” Groenewald said proudly.

But there are even bigger things on the horizon according to the club coach. “We were awarded the African World Games of 2023 to host them on the Pirates Tug of War fields in Kimberley, and we were also awarded the 2024 Junior SA Competitions to present in Kimberley as well.

“I’m really looking forward to next year,” Groenewald said.