Diamond Cup deal to end

SAFETY hazards, poor maintenance of the skate plaza and leaking transformers are some of the reasons why the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) will not go ahead as scheduled.

It emerged on social media this weekend that the transformers that were leaking oil into the city’s streets, could potentially explode.

World Skateboarding Grand Prix (WSGP) maintained that it would not open the skate park until the Northern Cape provincial government had remedied these problems and an expert certificate of approval of safety had been issued.

In return, provincial government announced over the weekend that it would terminate the partnership with WSGP when the current contract comes to an end in December.

A massive outcry and disappointment followed on social media platforms, with most regretting the postponement of the event that was planned for this week.

Some local skaters believed that the skate park would become “another white elephant” while others questioned why a decision was taken at such a late stage when preparations were in full swing.

“Why were we informed in the same month of the KDC, when it was already clear for months that it was going to fail?”

Members of the public also blamed changes in the political leadership of various departments for the chaos.

One person questioned who was actually benefiting from the event.

Spokesman for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Zandisile Luphahla, said that provincial government was intent on “saving” the legacy of the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) skateboarding world championship.

“The event and programme is the property of the Northern Cape provincial government.”

He, however, attributed the economic slump, troubles in the mining industry and pressures on government to intervene in the #FeesMustFall campaign, as unforeseen factors that had contributed to the difficulties this year.

“Kumba was not able to maintain its full sponsorship of the KDC while WSGP was unsuccessful in raising sufficient cash sponsors for the event.

“Government sponsorships and event funding have been singled out by National Treasury as areas that needed cost cutting. As a result, provincial government had no choice but to engage WSGP to agree to make the KDC a more compact event. WSGP was formally informed of the need to reduce the scope and contracted cost of the event during a Skype call at the end of May this year.”

Luphahla added that following months of discussions with WSGP to downscale the event and make it more affordable, the parties were unable to come to any agreement.

“Eventually we had to withhold a contracted payment to force them to seriously consider our need for cost reduction. Payment would only be made once WSGP presented us with plans, where the scope and reduced costs were achieved for the KDC main event.

“The latter was supposed to have taken place during two meetings on Tuesday (last week), one in London between WSGP and the head of department and the other meeting between a departmental team and a key WSGP service provider in Cape Town.”

He explained that discussions broke down in London, where WSGP wanted full payment for September and not a reduced payment.

“These developments made the situation untenable as government cannot make such a huge payment when there is so much uncertainty. The September payment will therefore be withheld again because we cannot pay when we do not know what it will really be for, considering our urgent need to reduce costs. It is fair to say that negotiations were difficult and on several occasions not productive.”

Luphahla apologised to the skating community for the postponement.

He indicated that new partners would be sourced after the contract with WSGP expired in December.

“Government and WSGP together achieved a lot to establish the KDC and to make it a loved skate brand. In fact, WSGP achieved global status on the back of the KDC success and achievements.

“It is therefore very sad that, as project partners, we could not find a new middle ground for the sake of the project, the skaters, parents and fans.”

WSGP cited outstanding payments and unfulfilled contractual obligations as reasons why the event had to be rescheduled.