Skateistan, an international NGO which empowers children through skateboarding and education, announced the completion of its new skatepark in Bamyan, Afghanistan today. An international team of skatepark builders, brought together and supported by New Line Skateparks, traveled to Afghanistan to manage the construction, including supporting local construction teams. Three members of Afghan Skateistan staff also completed their first apprenticeship in skatepark building as part of the project. The skatepark construction is funded by Skateistan’s long-term partner, The Skateroom.
Featured image: Lisa Jacob, 5-0 Fakie
For the third time, Skateistan has collaborated with New Line Skateparks on the design and build of the Skate School’s skatepark, following similar projects in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Construction on the rest of Skateistan Bamyan Skate School continues, but the park (and outdoor sport court, which the skatepark opens directly onto) is now ready to use and has already been tested out by Skateistan students in Bamyan.
Oliver Percovich, Skateistan’s Founder and Executive Director, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be extending the scope and reach of Skateistan’s activities in Afghanistan. This is the next step in the strategic development and expansion of Skateistan globally and we’re delighted that we’ll soon be offering Skateistan’s unique blend of skateboarding and creative education to hundreds more of the world’s most vulnerable children. We want to say a massive thank you to The German Federal Foreign Office, The Skateroom and the artists and partners who work with them, as well as to New Line Skateparks – all these partners have helped to make this dream a reality.”
The Skate School will open fully this summer and up to 800 children will be able to participate in Skateistan programs each week. Skateistan operates in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa and was founded in Kabul in 2008.
