08 November,2022 11:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Sukanya Datta
Participants warm up and practise before the competition at Somaiya Skating Track in Sion. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar
A flurry of preparations is underway at the rooftop drive-in theatre of a plush mall in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) this morning. It's not an early screening, but it definitely is quite a show as 120 young skaters from different corners of India buckle up their skates, perfect their glides and put on their game face for the International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) National Skating Games. The drive-in theatre will turn into a smooth skating track for day two of the competition, which is bringing together participants from more than 40 schools, from nine states across the country.
The first day of the competition played out at Somaiya Skating Track in Sion. This is the second chapter of the skating competition organised by ISSO. Affiliated to the School Games Federation of India, ISSO works with around 700 international board schools in the country and provides their students a platform to explore their athletic side. Jagdeep Singh, director, ISSO, shared that the skating competition is also a push for students to hone their skills on a national level. "We like to create a healthy competitive atmosphere and a sports ecosystem for children. This is the fourth edition of the national games hosted by ISSO, but the second chapter of the skating competition. Top skaters from 40 schools are competing here," he said.
The winners will move on to the National School Games organised by the School Games Federation of India. The competition features a host of speed inline and quad skaters in the age groups of under-11, under-14, under-17 and under-19. While yesterday, the Somaiya track had witnessed a rink race, the rooftop drive-in theatre at BKC today will host a road race, Singh says. This also marks ISSO's first rooftop skating championship. "We try to host the competition all over India to promote the sport in different regions. But since we are hosting our first rooftop skating competition here in BKC, if all goes well, then we'll definitely think of returning next year," Singh adds.
Ahead of the race, Vian Viraf Mahabat, a state-level skater from Utpal Shanghvi Global School, shares that he hopes to bring glory to his school. "I've been training rigorously, with intermediate breaks to rest and recuperate. I want to follow my passion and succeed at the highest level," the feisty 11-year-old reveals. His ambition is echoed by 12-year-old Arsh Bhatia from Gujarat, who has been skating for the past eight years. "I am here to win," the student of Fountainhead School, Surat, declares, adding, "I work out day and night to improve my game." Well, the skates are obviously running high.
ON Today; 7 am to 9 am
AT Jio World Drive-in, BKC.
CALL 7028399709 (open to all spectators)
FREE
