If you take notice of these kids, for once you develop awe for their speed, accuracy and balance that they show with their roller skates in the rink. Watching these young hearts zooming past on their skates with the blink of your eye just gives an indication about the hard work that has been put in to make them perfect in a sport where mind and body plays an equal role.

That’s the scene that one gets to observe in Gurgaon where the number of skaters has grown from four to over five hundred within a span of five years.

“Roller skating is catching up in Gurgaon. I started the sport in the city in May 2005 from Xion School, Sector 5. From around four-five kids in the beginning we have over 500 kids who regularly do skating at over 10 centres,” informs Rajesh Sharma, who is a coach and secretary of Gurgaon Roller Skating Association.

Seeing the increasing interest of children and their parents in the sports Rajesh formed Indian Roller Sports Club: in 2006. “We organized Gurgaon Inter-School competition in 2007 in which 300 kids from 12 schools participated. In 2008 the number of participants swelled to 500 from 20 schools. The first District Championship was organised in 2008 where 200 kids competed for the honours,” says Rajesh, stating that Gurgaon bagged five medals (2 gold and 2 silver and 2 bronze) in the School Nationals in Chandigarh in January 2008 apart from winning 1 silver and 1 bronze in the Nationals organised by Roller Skating Federation of India.

“Since then, there is no looking back. Gurgaon again won 5 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals in year 2009 and 9 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals in the year 2010,” he informs, adding that in Inline Speed Skating, it is wondrous Musckaan Chauhan, who is the only girl in Inline Speed Skating from Haryana to win gold medals so far.

“She is making her mark in the National Games consecutively since last 3 years (14 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals since 2008). In roller hockey, Mohit Yadav from Gurgaon represented India in the 14th Asian Games held in China in the year 2010. He is also a part of the Indian Team that now holds the World Record to play Roller Hockey continuously for 30 hours,” informs Rajesh.

However, despite the improvement, the DRSA Gurgaon still feels the need of good skating facilities like uninterrupted road and a rink which will be instrumental in promoting the sport to higher levels in speed skating. The problem is the government rink that is taking time to complete.

But that’s not deterring the parents from enrolling their wards in coaching programmes for the roller skating. On being asked about the reasons for their growing interest in the game, they say, “Roller skating centers have always provided high energy, fun and entertainment for people of all ages. The roller skating industry promotes family values and community involvement to offer a good, clean environment for all. Skating is one of the most affordable activities for the entire family.”

Adds Musckaan, the champion girl, “I was introduced to the sport by my parents four years ago. I instantly developed awe for it. Watching the skaters zooming past on their skates with the blink of my eye was breathtaking. I loved their speed, accuracy and balance. It’s not an easy a sport. A lot of hard work is required. It’s a sport where mind and body plays an equal role.”

Agrees Mohit. “We have really worked hard all through past few years. It’s an interesting sport – fast and exiting. Keeping the balance is the key and we have mastered that art,” he adds.
 
ENTERTAINMENT: Celebrities and superstars enjoy roller skating, too.

• 2004 NBA Slam Dunk champion Fred Jones credits roller skating with his incredible vertical leap. According to Jones, he developed strong leg muscles and learned some of the acrobatics from his days on roller skates.
• Olympic gold medal speed skater Derek Para started his career on roller skates before switching to ice skates to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Olympic speed skater Apollo Ono also began competing in quad skates before switching to ice blades to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
• Grammy winner and pop music star Beyonce Knowles hosted her 21st birthday party at a rink in Atlanta, and actor John Stamos threw a 30th birthday party for wife Rebecca Ramijn-Stamos in Los Angeles. Janet Jackson and Kim Bassinger both host star-studded birthday parties at a skating center in California.
• Rapper Missy Elliot sported quad skates in her music video, Work It. The musicians from Matchbox 20 shot their most recent video in a roller rink where they skated on quad skates.