..taking roller skating to new heights

It takes a lot of struggle and fight for any sportsperson to be recognised in his field of interest. While cricketers, tennis players and sportspersons from few other sports get recognised on their achievements, there are a few who still have to struggle to come into the limelight despite having done well at the international level. For many, roller skating is just a recreation, but there are few who have taken up it as a profession. One such person is city’s Srikantha Rao, who has been recognised as one of the best coaches for roller skating in the country. Srikantha Rao has coached Karnataka as well as Indian Roller Skating teams. Star of Mysore caught up with Srikantha Rao for a a brief talk. Excerpts…

SOM: When there were many sports to choose, what made you select Roller Skating?

Srikantha: Roller sports attract children from a very young age. It was the very thrill of going fast that attracted me to put on the skates in the year 1979. Since then I have enjoyed each and every minute spent on the skating rink.

SOM: To be recognised in a sport which is not much popular, one needs to struggle a lot. What were the difficulties faced by you to reach to this level?

Srikantha: Initially, Mysuru city did not have a skating track for regular practice. We had to train on road amidst heavy traffic near Mysore Court Complex and in front of Maharaja College Grounds for a very long time.

SOM: How has this sport evolved in city over the years?

Srikantha: From a very humble beginning, we now have three tracks of international standard one each in Kuvempunagar, Siddarthanagar and Unnathi Nagar in Bannimantap. The roller skating rink in Unnathi Nagar also has a circuit surrounding the rink and a synthetic track, which is one of its kind in India.

SOM: Tell us something about your Roller Skating Academy?

Srikantha: The Academy was started in the year 1989 with an aim to popularise the sport among young Mysoreans. The Academy has so far trained more than 10,000 skaters and has provided required infrastructure to groom youngsters into international level roller skaters. The Academy now boasts of around 600 national champions, two Asian medallists and five Ekalavya awardees.

SOM: What are the advantages of Roller Skating?

Srikantha: It is a sport which can be started at a very tender age of four and the competition starts from the age of six unlike other sports which do not entertain kids below the age of six. Once the kids get into skating they feel thrilled going at a speed of 30-40 kms and it also improves one’s lung capacity and sense of balance.

SOM: What are the important features that one needs to have to be a roller skater?

Srikantha: One has to have good perseverance and patience along with a lot of dedication like it needs in other sports. The most important thing is to be available for training everyday and to enjoy going fast.

I hope, roller skating gets recognition at the earliest as an Olympic sport and more children from Mysuru take up the sport as well. —VNS

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>Sports News / Saturday , November 08th, 2014