Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Diamond Cup opens with global talent and bold vision

THE OFFICIAL opening of the renamed Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) Skateboarding Championship took place at the Kimberley Skate Park on Friday. The event, the final leg of the 2025 series, runs from December 5 to 6 and has drawn international athletes and spectators for a high-stakes showdown.

Hosted by the Northern Cape provincial government through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT), the ceremony featured a keynote address by the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies. In her remarks, she said: "It is a profound honour to welcome you to the 2025 edition of what is now officially named the Diamonds and Dorings Kimberley Diamond Cup. This renaming is far more than a rebranding exercise; it symbolises a new era for this programme and for our province. It aligns the KDC with our long-term vision of building a modern, growing, and successful Northern Cape, an identity rooted in resilience, innovation, and opportunity."

Reflecting on the atmosphere, the MEC added, "Standing here this afternoon, having heard the wheels roll across the concrete and feeling the electric energy rising from this crowd, I am reminded yet again of why the KDC holds such a special place in our hearts. This is not just a competition; it is a living, breathing story of young people rewriting their futures, one moment at a time."

She also emphasised Kimberley's global role: "This weekend is special. Kimberley stands at the centre of the global spotlight. This afternoon, we officially open our arena to the world and celebrate the evolution of a platform that has become one of the most exciting, inclusive, and transformative events on the African continent. As we gather here, we recognise that the Kimberley Diamond Cup sits at the powerful crossroads of sport, tourism, youth development, and economic growth."

Highlighting the city's heritage, the MEC noted, "Ladies and gentlemen, Kimberley is a city built on mining, a city whose story is intertwined with diamonds, discovery, and industrial heritage. But like many post-mining cities across the world, Kimberley stands at a defining moment. To ensure sustainable growth, economic diversification is no longer optional; it is essential. It is in this context that the KDC becomes so vital.

"This championship is more than a sport showcase; it is a tourism activator, an economic stimulant, and a strategic tool for reimagining the future of our city. Each year, this event fills our hotels, guest houses, restaurants, transport services, and entertainment spaces. It increases bed occupancy across the hospitality sector and injects significant spending into local businesses."

The 2024/25 KDC season, ending in March, impacted over 800 youth through coaching clinics, Skateboarding for Hope, community outreach, and Grand Slams. "These initiatives do more than teach sport; they build confidence, promote wellness, and expose children to pathways that combine creativity, discipline, and ambition. In addition, the season disbursed R900,000 in prize money, supporting athletes with equipment, travel, household needs, and reinvestment into their athletic careers," Blennies explained.

Media coverage generated over R1.1 million in value, reaching 30 million viewers. "This is exposure that not only celebrates our athletes but positions Kimberley as the home of action and extreme sports in Africa."

Athletes hail from 12 countries: Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Thailand, Portugal, the Netherlands, the United States, Russia, and South Africa. "Your presence transforms this event. It elevates the level of competition, enriches cultural exchange, and inspires our young people to imagine possibilities beyond our borders."

Recent engagements with the KARDO Skateboarding Championships in Russia have explored making the KDC a qualifier. "Such a partnership would create a direct pipeline for our young athletes to advance onto international stages."

New this year is the Motocross FMX Showcase, expanding the extreme sports appeal. "By diversifying our offerings, we widen our audience base, enrich the entertainment experience, and lay the foundation for transforming the DnD KDC into a multi-disciplinary extreme sports festival."

Honouring qualifiers, the MEC said, "These stages test skill, endurance, composure, and character. To our qualifiers: you have earned your place in this championship."

The KDC produced South Africa's first Olympic skateboarders. This year, Boipelo Awuah and Brad Bailly flew the flag at Russia's Grand Skate Tour.

Thanking partners, Blennies stated, "Your investment is not merely financial; it is transformative. It empowers young people, strengthens our tourism economy, and builds a province where talent, innovation, and ambition can thrive."

The future vision is to expand the KDC into a global festival, grow youth programmes, strengthen tourism, and position the Northern Cape as Africa's action sports capital.

The renaming, as the MEC pointed out, also signals growth. The prize purse has risen from R200,000 to R300,000, and totals R1.2 million for 2024/25. For the first time, there is an equal distribution of prize money for men and women.

"Level up, fam - the game just got real! More money. More competition. More reasons to show up and show off," Blennies enthused.

In closing, the MEC shared a message of hope: "The Northern Cape is rising. We are proving that small provinces can make bold statements, that post-mining cities can reinvent themselves, and that young people from rural and urban communities alike can become global champions. Tonight, Kimberley stands tall, not just as a host but as a contributor to the international sporting landscape.

"To skaters: This is your moment. To guests: Thank you for choosing the Northern Cape."

She declared the event open: "Let this be our greatest championship yet. Let it inspire dreams. Let it elevate our province. And let it mark the beginning of a new progressive chapter for the Northern Cape province, South Africa’s new growth front!"

SCHEDULE:

• December 5:
• 13:00: Skaters arrive
• 17:00-18:00: Welcoming ceremony
• 18:00-18:15: Skater Demo
• 18:15-19:00: Freestyle Moto X Show
• 19:00-21:00: Under 16’s Finals
• December 6:
• 8:00: Registrations
• 10:00-12:00: Ladies Open
• 12:00-14:20: Lunch and Freestyle Moto X Show
• 14:30-17:00: Men’s Open
• 18:30: Prizegiving
• 20:00: Freestyle Moto X show
• 20:30: Concert