FOOTBALL CAREER KICKS OFF!

BY JOSHUA HENDRICKS

I have to work harder, put in more effort and make more sacrifices to push myself as a player and as a person.

SHUAIB MARTIN, a rising football talent from Eastridge, Mitchell’s Plain, is embarking on a remarkable journey. At just 19 years old, the midfielder has signed a threeyear professional contract with DStv Premiership side Cape Town Spurs. But Martin’s story is about more than just football success; it’s about dedication, overcoming challenges, and the balance between his academic pursuits and a promising sporting career.

MARTIN’S PATH INTO THE WORLD OF COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL began at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and he says Varsity Football was filled with learning opportunities. “Varsity Football as a UWC player was a great experience,” he says. “Meeting new players and becoming familiar with their playing styles taught me a lot. The team worked hard and prepared well before each match, as was evident in how close we came to winning and how well we performed in our matches.”

THE TEAM REACHED THE 2023 SEMIFINALS but lost 10-9 on penalties to the defending champions from Tshwane University of Technology. “Getting to the semi-final of Varsity Football and losing was hard to take because we knew how much we wanted to win it for the institution of UWC,” says Martin.

WHILE HIS PASSION LIES IN FOOTBALL, Martin is studying for a higher certificate in Economic Development at UWC. He says this academic pursuit is a valuable backup or alternative to his football career. Balancing life as a student and a footballer isn’t easy, and Martin says he has made sacrifices to succeed in both areas, with football and studies occupying most of his time.

MARTIN’S CONTRACT WITH CAPE TOWN SPURS RUNS UNTIL 2026 and marks a new chapter in his football career. He says he is proud of being signed by the club, but adds: “What has changed is that I have to work harder, put in more effort and make more sacrifices to push myself as a player and as a person.”

BEING AT CAPE TOWN SPURS has been instrumental in shaping his football skills, he says, and the technical ability he gained at the club allowed him to make a substantial contribution to UWC’s success. Moreover, the mental fortitude and professionalism he honed at Cape Town Spurs proved valuable in his university life. “I think the thing I took from Spurs that helped me at UWC was my technical ability, which made me contribute hugely at UWC and the success the team had.

“For Varsity Football we had many camps where we worked a lot on our mental health and getting to know each other’s backgrounds.Varsity Football is not just about the sporting side but also things like travelling, professionalism, how you conduct yourself on and off the field. So that came in handy, especially now that it’s the DStv Diski Challenge at Spurs, which includes lots of travelling and sleeping over.”

MARTIN SAYS HIS STUDIES ARE GOING WELL, equipping him with communication skills and helping him feel more comfortable when interacting with groups of people. “Also, UWC is amazing in helping me with all the resources I need to succeed in the lecture room too,” he says.

LAST YEAR, HE FACED A SEVERE MEDICAL ISSUE which put him in hospital and made him question his footballing career. But his determination to overcome the odds and return to the field demonstrates his resilience and commitment to his dreams. “It happened one Friday night after the Bayhill Premier Cup success, where Cape Town Spurs won the cup and I won player of the tournament. I couldn’t breathe and I was rushed to the hospital, where I found out I had fluid on my right lung. I didn’t know what to expect and if I’d ever play football again, but through the grace of God I got another opportunity to showcase my talent.”

AS MARTIN EMBARKS ON HIS PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY with Cape Town Spurs, he continues to excel academically at UWC. His story is an inspiration for all aspiring athletes who face challenges, proving that with determination and hard work they can achieve their goals in both sport and academia. Shuaib’s future in football looks promising and the UWC community has reason to be proud of its dedicated athlete.