Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport, this week visited Tanzania alongside Skateboard GB representatives including CEO, James Hope-Gill.
The visit marked the launch of a partnership project between Skateboard GB and the Tanzania Skateboarding Federation to support the development of skateboarding in Tanzania.
Supported by investment through UK Sport’s International Partnerships Programme (IPP), the project started with a visit this week by a Skateboard GB delegation to Tanzania to deliver a coach education programme. This will be followed by a visit to the UK for a small group of talented Tanzanian athletes and coaches in October.
The project aims to establish a comprehensive development programme for skateboarding in Tanzania and other African nations, while promoting its potential for inclusion in future Commonwealth Games. As part of this week’s programme, the two-day ‘Get Rolling’ course was delivered to 16 coaches to support the development of skateboarding education and participation. This was followed by an additional workshop to support further areas for capacity development, including strategy, governance, skate park development, and grassroots and community development.
UK Sport also engaged in meetings with key stakeholders to learn about the challenges that the Tanzanian governing bodies, the Tanzanian Olympic Committee, and the Tanzanian government face to grow Olympic and Paralympic sport and compete internationally. The visit also helped to strengthen the UK-Tanzania bilateral relationship, and included an event hosted by British High Commissioner, David Concar at the High Commissioner’s Residence. Dame Katherine Grainger also gave a presentation to staff members at the British High Commission in Tanzania about the role of sport in diplomacy and development.
Speaking about her visit, Grainger said; “I was absolutely thrilled to visit Tanzania on behalf of UK Sport to support the launch of this pioneering partnership between Skateboard GB and the Tanzania Skateboarding Federation that will support the development of skateboarding in Tanzania.
“At UK Sport we are passionate about the power and platform of sport to inspire positive change and a key element of this work is through an International Partnerships Programme that focuses on strengthening the international sporting system by supporting governing bodies and governments to grow Olympic and Paralympic sport overseas.
“I also really enjoyed meeting talented Tanzanian athletes, coaches, and leaders from the Tanzanian Olympic Committee and Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports to learn more about skateboarding in Tanzania and discuss how UK Sport and Skateboard GB can support the growth of skateboarding and Olympic and Paralympic sport in Tanzania.”
James Hope-Gill, CEO, Skateboard GB said; “We are delighted that funding from UK Sport has enabled Skateboard GB to create a partnership with Tanzania to train coaches, support grassroots infrastructure and give talented skateboarders some specialist coaching.
“This a fantastic opportunity for us to support the growth and sustainability of skateboarding in Tanzania. As well as delivering skateboarding sessions, this work has enabled us to start building good long-lasting relationships with the skateboarding association, government, and National Olympic Committee.”