If you have never been to a skating rink, it is a challenge to express the rush that the sport has on a spectator. Visakhapatnam is known for many things, and skating is one of them. The third edition of Rising Star Summer Roller Skating Championship organised by the Sivaji Park Skating Association (SPSA) at the Park, MVP Colony, got off to a colourful start on June 2. The modest-sized skating arena was decorated with colourful flags and was lined by parents sitting around the rink, cheering each time a skater zipped passed them. The impressive movement of feet and the turns — squatting slightly and staying absolutely still — was made to look effortless by the children in the rink. But it’s only when you get on the wheels do you really know what it takes to look effortless. Manha Begum, a three-year-old, has been skating since the last five months. Reshma Begum, Manha’s mother says, “We come to the park every day; she immediately got drawn to the sport.”
The championship consisted of jonex, practice and speed wheel events. “A skater begins with jonex wheels and moves eventually to speed wheels as they improve,” says SPSA general secretary Mahendra Tated. About 260 children aged between three to 16 years registered for the two-day event. Andhra Pradesh Roller Skating Association president Raghupati Raju inaugurated the championship. In his inaugural address, Raju says “Thanks to existing infrastructure, the city has produced many world-class skaters. But we need an indoor facility as for next two years the nationals will take place here. We have requested the municipality to turn Sivaji Park skating rink into an indoor facility so that monsoons do not affect the competition.”
All the children participating were radiating the sportsman spirit. It was soul lifting to see children finish the race, without worrying about results. After each race, skaters rushed back to their parents for a hug and joined in the cheering for other participants. Ananda Dissanayake, a proud parent, said: “I am so proud, Chehitha (7) has learned so well in 11 months and qualified for the next round.” On June 3, the championship came to an end with the award ceremony. The event took a moment to recognise 20 children who won medals at the 55th National Roller Skating Championship and 13 skaters who will represent the nation in the 18th Asians Roller Skating Championship to be held in South Korea.