Come summer, youngsters hit the ground enthusiastically to pursue their chosen game or sport. But these kids hit the road and rink for they are roller skaters. Skating is the most-sought after activity among the school and college students in Vijayawada and last year as many as 23 national medals were won by city skaters. “The bulk had come from artistic skating and the rest in speed category,” says Krishna District Roller Skating Association secretary Durga Prasad. However he is unhappy with the prevalent trend among the students and parents. “Many join the camps during summer holidays but after reopening of the schools they vanish. Only the diehard stays.”
For the quality conscious performers Vizag and Mumbai are the destinations for the city is not offering them a rink with international specifications. “Talented skaters, before a major event, visit these places for advanced training to win medals.”
The city offers rinks at Sastry Park, DRRMC stadium and Satyanarayanapuram Railway Stadium. “Satyanarayanapuram rink, the latest one, is laid by the Railway Institute folks. The one at Rajiv Gandhi Park is useless,” says Khaja Moinuddhin, a coach with Ravindra Bharathi School.
Khaja knows his responsibility to keep the kids away from injury. “The helmet is a must as it prevents head injury”.
Says Durga Prasad: “There is a misconception that injury galore in skating. That is not true. The most important aspect in skating is maintaining the balance. First, we teach skating using the left leg and later we teach sliding on the right. Later, we make the skater use both the legs and hands to move forward rhythmically.”
A good number of committed skaters also bagged the prestigious medical seats basing on their performance at the national-level.
Many skating administrators are keen on getting an international specified rink in Vijayawada as the city has emerged a potential medal-winning centre after Vizag in the State.
Skating is the most-sought after activity among the school and college students in Vijayawada and last year as many as 23 national medals were won by city skaters
