Sports Floor Opening and Semester Celebration

Last month, Skateistan held an event to celebrate the end of a successful 5th semester and the opening of the new multi-sports floor. Thanks in part to a donation from Big Bang Ballers, who gave 1500 USD towards basketball equipment, Skateistan now has a wooden multi-sports floor where students will be able to play basketball, football (soccer), volleyball, badminton, and other indoor sports. President of the Afghan National Olympic Committee (ANOC), General Zahir Aghbar, led the ribbon cutting ceremony after giving a speech for the hundreds in attendance.

The event was packed with students, parents, local media and other supporters who came out to enjoy the celebration. The ceremonies began with the singing of Afghanistan’s National Anthem, sung by four of Skateistan’s own female students. After a few words from Skateistan founder and director, Oliver Percovich, a well-known Afghan comedian took the stage to help liven up the day. Niki Williams (who just finished a 6 month volunteer position in Kabul) also shared a short video about the 5th semester that students help put together for the event.

Keeping with Skateistan tradition, the celebration also included a variety of exhibitions by students. Surrounded by loud cheers from an eager audience, the girls and boys both put on energetic displays of skateboarding skills. After the skateboard demos, the audience moved to the front of the building for the opening of the new multi-sports floor. First, Skateistan students Murza, Fazila, and Faranas treated the audience to a skillful display of climbing on the 8 meter climbing wall. After this, the younger students played a few rounds of volleyball for the crowd. Finally, some of the older boys played a quick game of basketball, getting loud cheers from the audience each time a shot was made. Overall it was another successful event, and a great way to end the 5th semester and get ready for an exciting and eventful 6th semester at Skateistan.