A struggle for professional recognition
KATHMANDU, July 3: “Though skateboarding began as a hobby, it gradually turned into a passion and now my profession,” shared 26-year-old Ujwol Dangol, owner of Hamro Skate Shop, at Bijeshwori. He also runs a skate park called Ktm Skate Park at Nayabazar, which is the first skate park of Kathmandu.
Moreover, Ujwol is also training children in skating with an aim to represent Nepal in the upcoming Olympics Games 2020 slated to be held in Japan. He is also working on forming an association that represents Nepali skateboarders and wishes to represent Nepal in Olympic 2020 through the same. It’s the first time in the history of Olympics that skateboarding is being included.
Ujwol, who is also a skateboard player associated with Asian Extreme Sports Federation (AXF), an umbrella branch of International Skateboarding Federation (ISF), said only one individual can represent a country in the federation.
Skateboarding is a trending sport which is not limited to having fun but also develops personality of the player. One of the regular players at the skate park is 15-year-old Sabin Shrestha. He shared, “I used to be lazy before I started playing skateboard, but now I am active. I have developed self-confidence, and I am happy that I joined the park.”
He can pull tricks on his skateboard such as grind (skateboarding on a metal rod), ollie (basic jump), drop and flip his board through the air. Sabin also receives attention and applauds from the audience while doing his stunts.
Currently, the skate park is spread around one ropani land at Nayabazar. ‘Make Life Skate Life’ had helped in the construction of ramps in the skate park, where Ujwol invested Rs 0.9 million. The park was completed in November, 2016.
Since then, the area has witnessed an economic boom as neighbors tapped on the opportunity with the establishment of cold stores and eateries around, offering cold drinks, water and food to skate enthusiasts. Ujwol revealed, “The locals are happy about having this skate park, as their business is also doing well. They even helped us with light bulbs for the park. It has been an inspiring experience.”
Ujwol’s story might not have been the same if he was not injured in a skating accident.
He began his journey as a skilled skateboarder in 2013, and had a group of friends who used to skate together on the lanes of Kathmandu. They were the only Nepali group strolling around on their skateboards, he said. “I was in Pokhara doing a stunt to climb down from stairs in my skateboard in 2014. Unfortunately, I smashed my knee while doing so. The doctors suggested complete bed rest for the next six months. Initially I was angry and frustrated, but I also had the time to think about and plan my future. I decided to open my own skate shop. After my recovery in 2015, I established my own skate shop and the skate park in 2016.”
Ujwol said nobody had been seriously injured in his skate park as of yet. He is busy showcasing motivational videos and organizing discussion session at his store during the monsoon season.
He emphasized that skating is not only a cool sport, but also helps in staying fit and healthy. He added, “This is a form of sports where you don’t have to run or strain your muscles. All you need are a pair of shoes, a skateboard and some skills. And it is an adventure sport that gives some an adrenaline rush.”
People can hire a skateboard and play around for as long as they want in Ujwol’s skate park. Not only local kids, but foreigners can also be seen doing stunts at the park when it’s not raining. 15-year-old Sameer Rasaili is another regular player at the skate park. He has been visiting the park since 2015, and has also participated in national and international skateboard competitions.
Photo Courtesy: Saurav Ranabhat/ Republica
Sharing his experience Rasaili explained, “The more you play, the more you will improve in this game. In my case, my life changed after I started skateboarding. I enjoy the game, and even though I fall down time and again, I haven’t been seriously injured. If you could control your body movements, you would not face serious injuries. But you should know that you will fall, and have to get up every time.”
Cover story: Time stands still
