Skateistan, an NGO that empowers youth through skateboarding in Cambodia and Afghanistan, was presented this week with the Sport for Good award at the 16th Laureus World Sport Awards.
Oliver Percovic, who launched Skateistan in Kabul in 2007, accepted the award at a ceremony in Shanghai.
“When I arrived in Afghanistan with a few skateboards, I didn’t dream of what we’ve achieved so far,” he said, according to a press release from Laureus.
Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, who in November 2013 visited the Phnom Penh headquarters of Skateistan, said: “I can’t think of another organization that so effectively and efficiently has harnessed the power of skateboarding to engage young people and helps them to learn such valuable lessons.”
Skateistan’s skate park and center in Phnom Penh is visited by upward of 150 youth each week, according to the organization.
