The tournament is as yet not accredited by the World Skate Federation nor is it recognised by Sascoc.
THE KIMBERLEY Diamond Cup (KDC), which kicks off today, will feature several top skateboard athletes as well as local musicians during a weekend of action and entertainment.
The total prize money allocated for the skateboard competitors amounts to R750 000.
However, before the tournament kicked off properly, the organisers, including the provincial department of Economic Development and Tourism (NCEDT), yesterday morning had to sit down with representatives from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
The meeting was held to discuss how contestants at this tournament could gain valuable points which may be considered for their possible participation at the upcoming Olympic Games set for Japan in 2020.
The tournament is as yet not accredited by the World Skate Federation nor is it recognised by Sascoc.
NCDET representative, Sipho Mamape, explained that the purpose of the session was to start discussions around forming a skateboarding federation for South Africa.
He added that all skateboard participants agreed that they need to have an organised body affiliated with Sascoc and the Olympic Federation.
The meeting agreed on a timeline for the formation of skateboard clubs which, in turn, will form regions and eventually a national federation.
Mampe said the Province is prepared to host the anticipated headquarters of the national federation as and when it is formed.
Earlier this week the organisers introduced most of the international and local skateboarders to the media at a briefing held at the skate park.
Some of the participants are:
* Brazil born amateur skater Ivan Monteiro, 22, who claimed the sixth position at the 2018 Street League World Championship. Monteiro took fourth place in the Shanghai X Games and won the 2019 World Cup Games in Spain.
* Micky Papa, 29 a professional skater from Vancouver, Canada, has the Street League under his belt as well the DewTour and the Skate Street League World Tour event, including the X Games and Battle of the Berrics title.
* Thomas Vinter of the Czech Republic is a seasoned X Games participant and won silver overall in the Skate World Cup.
* South African Khule Ngubane, 25, an amateur skater, boasts appearances at the TampaAm in Florida in the United States as well as the Russian Skateboarding World Cup in Russia and the Skateboard Fise World series which took place in China a year ago.
* Brandon Valjalo, 21, a professional skateboarder from Johannesburg, has had a wealth of exposure including the Skateboard Fise World Series, World Cup Skateboarding and the Olympics Skateboarding circle.
* South African Damian Bradley, 19, is a proud Maloof Money Cup veteran. This is the predecessor of the Kimberley Diamond Cup. Bradley is a past winner of Kimberley Diamond Cup (2015). He holds the distinction of having won the Kimberley Cup’s amateur Vert contest when the platform was still operational at the present venue. He has came first in the Fise Xiangdu competition.
The KDC event will feature several events including BMX, BMX flatland, international Freestyle Motocross and KDC stance among others.
Last night Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, officially opened the event at the Mittah Sepere Convention Centre. The skateboard competition proper will start at noon today.
