Kimberley is to get a state-of-the-art skateboarding park that is being built at a cost of R3-million. It will then host one leg of the Maloof Money Cup that offers a $3-million prize to the world’s top skateboarders.
Apparently the cup will be hosted in four cities around the world and Kimberley has been chosen as one of them. According to competition creator, Joe Maloof, South Africa’s successful hosting of FIFA’s World Cup last year had prompted him to consider the country as a host venue.
The new skateboarding park will be built next door to Kimberley’s International Convention Centre on land that was donated by diamond mining giant, De Beers. It will cover an area of about 100 000 sqm, almost equivalent to the surface area of Kimberley’s Big Hole.
According to Sharron Lewis, chief executive of Northern Cape Tourism, the skateboarding park will help to establish Kimberley as a major tourist destination for the province.
Lewis says the event will be televised internationally and will be covered by both SuperSport and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
As a result of the new skateboarding park, the province has launched its Northern Cape Extreme brand as well as a campaign entitled Skateboarding for Hope that is aimed at developing skills and identifying outstanding talent in the province.
Lewis says that the dedicated promotion of skateboarding will help the sport increase its national popularity. The Northern Cape intends to host a concert for Snoop Dog to support the event.
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