World skateboarding championships return to South Africa, October 1-5

Over 70 countries invited to compete in 2014 Kimberley Diamond Cup

By MARKETWIRE
July 23, 2014

SACRAMENTO, CA – World Skateboarding Grand Prix (WSGP) announced today it has extended invitations to over 70 countries to participate in this year's Kimberley Diamond Cup World Skateboarding Championships (KDC) October 1-5. Presented by Kumba Iron Ore, the event draws the best skateboarders from around the world to Kimberley, South Africa to compete for the largest prize purse in skateboarding, more than $500,000, and title of world champion.

"We have been working all year to develop our member countries and this year's event is poised to be the biggest international contest in skateboarding history with close to 250 athletes participating," said Tim McFerran, president of World Skateboarding Grand Prix.

The KDC championships include vert contests and street style contests that are held on the permanent state-of-the-art skatepark built specifically for the championships and donated to the community, serving as a year-round youth community center. The skatepark serves to foster youth development and cultivate the next generation of skateboarders.

"It's something that we have been doing for a few years now and we believe that more international sporting events should have legacy projects and sustainability," said McFerran. "We have already seen some countries pull out of bidding for major events because they don't leave any lasting legacy; it's a few days of events and then it's gone. We believe the future of sporting events, including Rio in 2016, lies in social responsibility and in creating long lasting benefits for host communities."

The WSGP championships, led by Mcferran, are innovating the way sports events operate by creating a real legacy and sustainable industry year-round in host countries, focusing on developing youth and helping the underprivileged.