Bonface Orucho, Bird Story Agency….
South Africa’s bid to host the 2028 World Skate Games — itself a testament to the growing popularity of skating both as sport and as culture — is finding support amongst a growing band of young Africans.
Half a continent away, George Kweyu, a skating coach at the Kakamega Young Skaters Club, which trains children to skate in western Kenya, said the bid announced the arrival of a movement on the continent.
“The bid signals a shift, proving that African nations are no longer just (passive) participants in global skating sports,” he explained.
"The sport has come a long way in Africa, and the mere fact that South Africa sees the potential to host the 2028 Games speaks volumes about its rapid growth. It means what was once a sport for a few is now a thriving movement," the 32-year-old accountant said in an interview.
The bid is being submitted by Roller Sport South Africa with assistance from CN&CO, a South African marketing company.
If successful, South Africa will become the first African nation to host the games, bringing together elite competitors across 13 disciplines: skateboarding, speed, artistic, inline slalom, downhill, inline freestyle, inline hockey, rink hockey, roller derby, roller freestyle, scootering, skate cross, and esports.
According to Wendy Gila, president of Roller Sport South Africa, the country’s national federation of roller sports, which will spearhead the bid, “hosting the games in SA (at Sun City) would position South Africa as a global hub for international sporting events while delivering significant economic benefits.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity not only to showcase South Africa’s world-class facilities and warm hospitality but also to highlight our commitment to supporting global sports and encouraging the growth of skating disciplines in our country,” she said in a statement.
In South Africa, the sport’s rising status is evident in growing participation at grassroots levels, with competitive skaters emerging from Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
The growing momentum of skating sports in Africa also aligns with global trends as what was once a subculture evolves into an Olympic sport, alongside culture-intensive Olympic sports such as snowboarding and surfing.
The International Olympic Committee recently confirmed that skating will become a permanent Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, following its successful debuts in Tokyo and Paris.
Notably, infrastructure is keeping pace with this growth. Skate parks and roller sports venues are being developed across Africa by a blend of public and private sector efforts.
According to their websites, facilities such as The Shred in Cape Town and Thrashers Skatepark in Pretoria are drawing increasing numbers, providing spaces where athletes can hone their skills.
Momentum around the sport is also growing beyond South Africa, from Algeria to Zimbabwe, Cape Town to Cairo, with skating and roller sports thriving among the urban youth.
In some cities today, some businesses are integrating sports with hospitality services to attract a youthful clientele. SkateCity Nairobi is a prime example. It’s an indoor skating arena that provides a structured environment for skaters of all levels while offering a mix of amenities and entertainment options.
In North Africa, Casa Skate, a grassroots movement, is nurturing young talent and pushing the sport into mainstream consciousness.
Morocco’s Rachidi Skate Park in Casablanca — the largest in Africa — has been a top training ground for the country’s rising skate talent since its launch in 2018.
Egypt, too, is a stronghold for roller sports. The Wadi Degla Roller Skating Academy in Cairo trains hundreds of athletes, some of whom have competed at regional and international levels.
Established in 2009, the academy has played a crucial role in the sport’s expansion, with more Egyptians taking up rollerblading and artistic skating.
Zimbabwe is also making strides in roller sports, with local skate venues drawing increasing numbers of youth. Harare has seen steady growth in the skating culture, with informal skate parks becoming hotspots for talent.
Similarly, in West Africa, Ghana has become a rising force in disciplines such as skateboarding, with initiatives such as Surf Ghana and Freedom Skatepark in Accra providing platforms for young athletes. Supported by figures like the late Virgil Abloh, these projects have injected fresh energy into the scene.
A key ongoing trend in the sport is its decentralisation and widespread adoption beyond major cities and towns.
According to Kweyu, “skateboarding is increasingly being viewed as an avenue for self-expression and opportunity, resonating with urban youth.”
“Even in some of the now-developing towns, you will find emerging clubs offering training to teens. A good example is our club. Our youngest trainee is seven years old,” he explained.
The cultural impact of roller sports in Africa extends beyond competition. In Ethiopia, the Addis Girl Skateboarding, a female-only skateboarding group, is challenging gender norms by encouraging more young women to take up the sport.
Similar movements are taking shape in Nigeria, where skateboarding is being intertwined with music and fashion, becoming a symbol of creativity and artistic expression.
The UAE will host the 2026 World Skate Games, with South Africa hoping to build on the momentum to secure the 2028 edition.
bird story agency
