Mr Patrick Seboko, Head of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, announced today that a new international skateboarding event will be staged in Kimberley from 27 to 29 September 2013.
The event will include an amateur and professional street skate, vert and mini-mega format championship showcasing the best international, South African and local skaters. Presenting a new international skateboarding championship follows the termination of the agreement with Maloof Skateboarding, Seboko said. He wished the Maloof family well in their next endeavours.
Seboko said the department utilised the opportunity “to explore new directions in developing and promoting skateboarding as an accessible sport and benefit from its potential as a local economic development opportunity, platform for destination awareness, a mass tourism event and simultaneously a catalyst for social transformation.”
“Naturally, the termination of our agreement with Maloof Skateboarding presents us with a shining opportunity to create a unique Northern Cape skate brand with global reach and demand,” said Seboko.
The department revealed it completed a competitive tender based procurement process to appoint a new service provider to present an international skateboarding event in Kimberley, the Skateboarding for Hope initiative, a number of new and exciting signature skate events and a full 12 month long fun packed programme for the Kimberley Skate Plaza.
“We have put in place a highly experienced and strong project team consisting of international and South African experts to deliver a world-class skateboarding championship with world-wide appeal to further extend the Northern Cape reputation as a fine host of mega events,” said Seboko. He added that further details on the programme for the new international skateboarding event and related activities will follow in the days to come.
