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Skateistan - Skateboarding in Afghanistan

Oliver Percovich, Australian skater from Papua New Guinea came to Kabul in February 2007, bringing his skateboards with him. The idea of Skateistan came about quickly when he met a group of local boys and girls eager to learn how to skate. What began as an informal skateboarding lesson turned into something much bigger......
12. 3. 2014

ABOUT SKATEISTAN

Skateistan began as a grassroots 'Sport for Development' project on the streets of Kabul in 2007, and is now an award-winning, international NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) with projects in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Skateistan is the first international development initiative to combine skateboarding with educational outcomes. Skateistan is non-political, independent, and inclusive of all ethnicities, religions and social backgrounds.

On October 29, 2009, Skateistan completed construction of an all-inclusive skatepark and educational facility on 5428 square meters of land donated by the Afghan National Olympic Committee. The indoor section was graciously built by German skatepark builders, IOU Ramps.

Skateistan has also emerged as Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school, and is dedicated to teaching both male and female students. The non-profit charity has constructed the two largest indoor sport facilities in Afghanistan, and hosts the largest female sporting organization (composed of female skateboarders). Skateistan believes that when youth come together to skateboard and play, they forge bonds that transcend social barriers. Furthermore, through creative education classes the youth are enabled to affect change on issues that are important to them.

First skatepark in Afghanistan, photo credit: skateistan.org

Art class, photo credit: skateistan.org

OTHER PROJECTS

Skateistan's vision is to grow a sustainable organization that is recognized locally & globally for changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth through skateboarding. On May 23, 2013, Skateistan opened the doors of its second facility in Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth largest city in Afghanistan, nearly three times the size of Skateistan Kabul. The thrid one was officially opened in Cambodia where international pro skateboarding  legend Tony Hawk stopped by to spend a day at the park on December 2013. The team even held "go skateboarding day" in four cities throughout the country. But Skateistan isn't all about skateboarding. Currently, the team is building Afghanistan’s biggest (and newest) rock climbing wall in Mazar-e-Sharif!


Go Skateboarding Day, photo credit: skateistan.org

Learning from the best, photo credit: Sam Jam

Climbing wall in Mazar-e-Sharif, photo credit: skateistan.org

EVERYBODY CAN HELP

To keep the team rolling, Skateistan has launched a new product line with 100% of profits directly funding their educational project sites. All the gear is eco-friedly and made sweatshop-free in Europe. Visit their shop by clicking on the banner below.

 

For more information about Skateistan go to: www.skateistan.org
To donate go to: www.skateistan.org/donate

Text and photo credit: skateistan.org

12. 3. 2014

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