Northern Cape set to soar to new heights in archery

The Northern Cape Province has witnessed a remarkable surge in the popularity of archery over the past three years, with its rapid growth capturing the attention and admiration of both local and national sports communities.

The province's hosting of the 2022 Africa Genesis Archery Federation (AGA) Virtual Tournament marked a significant milestone, showcasing the dedication and commitment of Northern Cape Archers, who have since become a formidable force on both the national and international stage.

This year, the Northern Cape's archery prowess is once again in the spotlight, as five of its top archers have been selected to represent the AGA-SA National Team.

This prestigious selection is a clear indication of the province's progress in the sport, as well as a source of immense pride and inspiration for the local community.

The archers heading to the Africa Genesis Archery Federation Tournament in Namibia from August 21-25 include Fathima Mustapha, Otniël van Wyk, Annemarie de Greeff, Karin Bester, and Dawid de Greeff – all hailing from Kimberley. This upcoming event is expected to be a thrilling competition, with the Northern Cape archers poised to make their mark on the continental stage.

Meanwhile, the growth of archery in the Northern Cape has been bolstered by the strong support from various stakeholders, including the South African National Defence Force, which is backing the nomination for the province to host the 2024 AGA-SA National Event.

This opportunity is seen as a pivotal moment for further promoting and developing archery in the region, providing a platform to showcase the sport's inclusivity and appeal.

AGA-NC (Archery Genesis Association of the Northern Cape) has entered two formidable teams in the upcoming AGA-SA Inter-Provincial Championship, set to take place on September 25.

The High School Team and the Adult Archery Generation Team are each made up of 16 archers, accompanied by a dedicated team coach and manager. The selected athletes representing the Northern Cape Province this year are:

AGA-SA NC High School Team: Athrah Arnold, Nusrah Beckmann, Naadirah Cader, Lilly-Ann Heuwel, Haajirah Hunter, M. Ibraheem Hunter, Amaan Khan, Hezekiah Lodewyk, Fathima Mustapha, Dylan O’Connell, Chloe Obaray, Aaliyah Paulsen, Mariam Richards, Tru Shaw, Terence van Eck, Otniël van Wyk, Lizette Marais (coach) , Camiela Paulsen (manager)

AGA-SA NC Adult Generation Team: Dawid De Greeff, Karin Bester, Jamilla Beckmann, Chloè Janse Van Rensburg, Annemarie De Greeff, Camryn Rodger, Shihaam Joemat, Zuleiga Barday, Chantelle Shaw, Henk van der Schyff, Nicole Krige, Schalk van der Merwe, Philip Kotze, Johan van Zyl, O’Connell Marinda, Jan Visagie, Lourens Janse van Rensburg (coach), Fadhl Arnold (manager)