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Kayapanda Shashi Somaiah
Madikeri, Nov. 18: Roller skating, which once created a stir in Kodagu district along with various other sports, had later disappeared from the district. About two decades ago, some sports enthusiasts came together to form an organization called Kodagu District Roller Skating Association and set out to promote the sport by building a roller skating rink in front of the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department office in Madikeri, the district headquarters. This effort was an unprecedented success at that time. Not only did a large number of small children participate in skating in this rink every day, but their parents also encouraged them. Many children had participated in state-level sports competitions and achieved success in this sport. But the roller skating rink, which had been actively creating a stir for a few years, turned into a jungle due to various reasons. All activities in this rink had come to a standstill and the District Roller Skating Association, which was in charge of this rink, had also written a letter to the district administration and handed over the rink under their care.
After this, for the past 12 years, no activities were taking place in this skating rink and it had almost become a forest. Even though the Sports Department had cleared and cleaned the area in between, the forest was covering it again due to non-use.
A roller skating competition was organized in this rink after many years due to the enthusiasm and interest of K.H. Chandini, a district resident who is working as a coach for some school children from Kushalnagar. They had organized a divisional level roller skating competition with the permission of the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department. Department officer Vismayi responded to their request and provided cooperation by arranging the rink. Around 92 competitors from Kodagu, Mysore and Hassan had arrived in the competition.
Competitions were held in the age groups of 3 to 6 years, 6 to 9, 9 to 12 and 12 to 15 in Tencity, Quad, Recreational Inline, and the winners were given prizes and certificates. Along with the organizer Chandni, Mysore Decathlon Coach Anil and Hassan's Ravi participated and cooperated with their students. 50 competitors, including two children from Udgam, Gyanaganga, Bharat Mata School and Periyapatna in Kushalnagar division, 20 from Mysore and 22 from Hassan, participated in this competition.
After many years, a lively activity took place at the skating rink amidst the encouragement of skaters and their parents, and many members of the public were also spectators. Chandni said that she plans to continue this in the future.
Roller skating was started in the district in 2001. At that time, some sports enthusiasts joined under the presidency of Kottiyanda Jeevan Chinnappa, who was a reporter for The Hindu newspaper. Cheekapuvanda Tata Madappa was the vice-president. Initially, this sport was started in the F.M. Cariappa indoor hall on the junior college premises. The sport started with a few children, but later became popular and more than 100 children joined. Training was given in the morning and evening. Parents were also supportive.
As a result of this effort, a separate place was available for this. The then District Collector Srikanth Walagad helped in providing a place near the football field. Political leaders Sunil Subramani and K.G. Bopaiah also cooperated in this. The first roller skating rink was established in the district with donations including funds from Dhananjay Kumar, who was an MP.
This was managed by this organization, which was started as the Kodagu District Roller Skating Association. Although some obstacles were faced, the problem did not continue. Skating masters had gone to various places in the district, state and country and showed their achievements.
Major sports events
Along with the district level competitions, the All India Invitational Tournament and the State Level Tournament were also held in the same skating rink on this occasion. Organizations were also formed in Kushalnagar, Virajpet, and Gonikoppa as affiliate organizations of the district organization. Although there was no separate rink elsewhere, children were trained in the basketball stadium. Kumbugowda Jagdeep, a native of Makkandur, was a coach who trained many children. Summer camps were also held.
After Jeevan Chinnappa, Kannanda Sabu Karumbaiah served as the president of the organization. Later, after 2009, when the children who were there at that time moved to other places, not only this sport, but also skating and the rink went into decline. In a short time, all activities came to a standstill. The district organization also had the partnership of the State Roller Skating Association.
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