International skateboarders will show off their skills in one of the most lucrative skateboarding competitions to be held in Kimberley this weekend.
The Maloof Money Cup will be hosted between 30 September and 2 October and will offer prize money worth $500 000. The competition is the brainchild of businessman Joe Maloof, whose family are the owners of NBA team the Sacramento Kings and the famous Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, among other extensive music and television interests.
“The Maloof Money Cup is a perfect opportunity for South Africans to get together in welcoming the world to a truly adventurous part of our country, the Northern Cape,” says Sugen Pillay, global manager: events at South African Tourism.
“And with no real South African sports adventure enthusiast likely to miss an opportunity like this in their own backyard, it’s an excellent excuse to discover all that this province has to offer,” he adds.
“It’s going to be a weekend of extremes – from entertainment, sport, tourism and music – and will certainly give South Africa high-impact street cred to add to its already established reputation in the world of major sports events,” says Pillay.
Participants from the USA, Brazil, the Netherlands, China, Nigeria and South Africa include professional skateboarders Andrew Reynolds, Justine Figueroa, Garett Hill, Greg Lutzka, Nick Merlino, Pedro Barros and Sierra Fellers, who will battle it out in Kimberley for a winners prize of $180 000, the biggest reward up for grabs on the international skating circuit. Supporting the skating event is a line-up of additional festivities, including a concert featuring American rapper Lil Jon and local artists HHP, Danny K, Jozi and Kabelo.
Sharon Lewis, CEO at the Northern Cape Tourism Authority says the city is abuzz in anticipation of the event. “It’s great that the World Cup of Skateboarding is coming to Kimberley. We’re looking forward to treating all fans and competitors to the best the Northern Cape has to offer, to our friendly, hospitable people and to an event that’s superbly organized,” says Lewis.
Maloof says bringing the Maloof Money Cup to South Africa is part of utilizing skateboarding as a vehicle to community upliftment, with the skate park being built for the Maloof Money Cup being donated to the local community when the tournament is over.
“When we made the decision to expand Maloof Money Cup globally, we wanted to ensure that we gave back to all the communities we touch,” says Maloof.
The design of the skate park, by design team Joe Ciaglia and Geoff Rowley from California Skate Parks, pays tribute to Kimberley’s diamond heritage with the famous Kimberley diamond incorporated into the course.
Entry tickets to the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding championships are available from Computicket, as well as Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores countrywide. Tickets range from R30 – R40 with weekend passes available at R50 per person.
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