Roadkill

Photo: Darshan Chakma

Bangalis have a newfound love for balancing themselves precariously on flimsy modes of transportation. Cyclist groups have been popping up everywhere, as people finally realize that cycles offer a lot more freedom and manoeuvrability in this overcrowded city of ours than rickshaws and cars. Call it a passing fad, just another infectious trend spreading like wildfire, but you can't deny the fact that people want to move around as freely as possible. Roller skates are coming in, slowly, steadily. That's where Abul Kalam Azad of Azad Skating Club comes in.

Started almost six years ago by the veteran skater to organize skaters and teach interested young people the noble art of balancing yourself on thin wheels, one would think skating is not going to be as popular as cycling because of the steeper learning curves. While that is true, skating takes longer to muster completely compared to cycling, and Dhaka's streets have only recently started to see these skaters out and about.

Just consider Mr Azad himself: he's been skating since the early 2000's, with training from India, he participated in the South African International games in 2002. He's also participated in various competitions in Venezuela, Japan, and Korea, not to mention the Asian and World Games. With this wealth of experience behind him, he wanted to do something for the kids and teenagers in Bangladesh, which is why he set up the skating club in the first place.

He's satisfied with the response he's getting. Mostly publicized by word of mouth, the number of people turning up for lessons are not a significant number, but it's manageable, with 20-25 students right now, and that's the way Azad likes it.

Is it safe in Dhaka? Obviously not on the main roads, unless you have an overwhelming desire to witness the crumbling undercarriage of a local bus as it tries its best to flatten you. Side roads inside residential areas with little or no traffic in Dhanmondi and Gulshan areas are a good idea. Other than that, try places like Zia Uddyan or Sangsad Bhaban for relatively safe places to practice. Proper gear like knee pads and headgear are a must, obviously. Leave the headphones and ipods at home.

As for the actual skating gear, most sports stores will carry decent enough protection and skating gear, but will usually be a tad overpriced. If you want good stuff at an average price, Azad Skating Club will provide you with everything you would need to start skating.

If you're good enough at it, you could even have a chance at competing professionally. The lack of government support in this sector is one of Azad's complaints. When he went to South Africa to compete, he had to pay for the trip out of his own pockets, and a number of good skaters were deterred from participating just because they couldn't pay for it. He sincerely hopes the government will recognise the potential of skating as a sport and provide support for the whole skating movement that's rising up. From 3 or 4 skaters in 2002 to almost 7 thousand currently, that is a huge jump, and it can expand a lot more. Provide these people with a skating park and those numbers will skyrocket.

If you want to be a part of the skating revolution, grab a pair of roller skates and give Azad Skating Club a call. Next up: skateboards.

Azad Skating Club: 01727288389