In the heart of Montana, a group of young basketball players is redefining what it means to be part of a sports club. The Montana Vikings are not just winning games — they’re shaping futures.
On the court, it’s not flashy moves or fancy kits that catch the eye. It’s the way the players carry themselves. Each young athlete, many still in school and some barely taller than the basketballs they dribble, takes the time to greet every adult who arrives. They check in, ask how you are, and offer eye contact and respect — simple gestures that speak volumes.
This culture of character is no accident. It’s part of a bigger vision led by head coach Shafiek Allie.
“We’re not just building athletes,” says Allie. “We’re building people. Basketball is just the vehicle.”
Serving communities such as Montana, Valhalla Park, Bishop Lavis, and Gugulethu, the Montana Vikings club offers more than sport. For many of its young members, it’s a sanctuary — a place of safety, mentorship, and hope. While players master lay-ups and fast breaks, they’re also learning discipline, responsibility, and teamwork.
Unity is central to the Vikings’ ethos. Players move in unison — whether heading to the restroom or picking up a fallen teammate. Sessions end with prayer, team chants echo across the court, and off the court, the bond only deepens.
The Vikings have earned national recognition for their performance, but it’s their persistence that truly sets them apart: Training outdoors in all weather, juggling schoolwork and long commutes, and relying on a coach who regularly digs into his own pocket to cover costs.
Enter King Price Insurance.
Through its Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment (CSRI) programme, the insurer has stepped in with crucial sponsorship, helping to fund gear, transport, and accommodation for inter-provincial tournaments. More than just corporate branding, the partnership is helping to sustain a programme that changes lives.
“We’re not just sponsoring for the sake of it,” says Marno Boshoff, head of culture at King Price Insurance. “We’re sponsoring where it matters.”
The support allows Coach Shafiek to focus on what he does best — mentoring and inspiring the next generation.
“There’s enough out there that these kids are dealing with,” says Allie. “I want them to have a place where they know they matter. Where they belong.”
In addition to weekly training, the club runs an annual basketball camp and a unique 24-hour basketball marathon, where players rotate in shifts, sleep courtside, and build team spirit in a way that transcends the game.
But the vision doesn’t stop there. Coach Shafiek dreams of building an indoor facility to shield players from Cape Town’s unpredictable weather. He envisions bursary support for talented players aiming for university and hopes to extend the club’s reach into feeding schemes, school upliftment, and broader community development.
In a city where opportunities are few and far between, the Montana Vikings stand tall — not just as a team, but as a force for good. And with King Price on their side, they’re proving that some of the most powerful change can begin on a cracked concrete court — with a ball, a dream, and a coach who simply won’t quit.
