Shortlisted for Two 'Beyond Sport' Awards
Skateistan is very proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two Beyond Sport Awards this year – both Sport for Education (sponsored by UNICEF) and Sport for Conflict Resolution. Beyond Sport is a "global organisation that promotes, develops and supports the use of sport to drive positive social change across the world". The awards are a chance to highlight the most innovative, standout case studies in sport and development each year.
Skateistan was one of 35 projects worldwide shortlisted out of nearly 400 applications, and is one of only two projects shortlisted for two awards. While the field of sports and development was once the firm domain of football/soccer activities, the growth and diversity of effective sports projects shine through in this shortlist, which includes 22 different sports from 18 countries.
By reaching this stage of the judging process, Skateistan has been invited to attend the third annual Beyond Sport Summit, taking place from December 5-8 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Summit and potential awards could provide Skateistan with some extremely useful support towards our goal of achieving donor independence and self-sustainability. The Beyond Sport press release explains:
"Throughout the Summit, the shortlisted projects will have the opportunity to interact with Beyond Sport's extensive network of corporate business, government, philanthropy, international aid organisations and sporting federations, all with the ability to significantly impact the reach and capabilities of the sport and development movement.
The Awards winners, to be selected by the panel of Beyond Sport Ambassadors, will be announced on the final two days of the Summit. The successful projects in the six Beyond Sport Community Awards categories will receive a substantial package of business support to help them grow and become sustainable in the future."
Skateistan is honoured to have been selected alongside so many other great projects, and plans to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible to accomplish with four wheels and a board. Expansion plans to Mazar-e-Sharif and Cambodia will bring the love and camaraderie of skateboarding to children in some new places soon!
