Skateboarding in Delhi: ‘New sport that attracts kids’

The popularity of skateboarding has grown exponentially in recent years India I am also getting promotion.

Delhi Skateboarding parks for boys and girls are very limited however the game The journey has begun.

Anil Dhankar is the first person to build a private park for skateboarding in Delhi, where he trains skateboarding enthusiasts from young age to 40 years.

He says that this sport is very new in India but in the coming few years this sport will set the heights of popularity.

Anil Dhankar points out that there aren’t many alternatives for skateboarders in Delhi. So far the government has not taken any action for skateboarding. There are only two parks in Delhi, one outdoor and one indoor. The outdoor park is run by them at Scenic Farm itself. Apart from this, some people have made small parks for their children in their personal space.

He further informed that there is one Delhi Skateboarding Academy in Delhi, which has an indoor skate park and one they have, ‘Backyard Steak Park’ which is an outdoor park.

‘Also there are two places in Delhi where skateboarders gather and play. One is Deer Park and one is Mandi House Metro Station. At these two places, the players plan to gather in Watts group and do skateboarding.

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According to Anil, since this game is new, it attracts boys and girls.

‘The smile on these kids’ faces when they ride the board is palpable. This game is not one of those games where you have to depend on the performance of other members. It’s an individual game.’

Dhankar tells the story of his connection to the sport: ‘I got into the sport because of my children. I have two children, who were in different sports, but because of Corona, they started skateboarding and connected with it.

‘I am surprised that not a single skate park has been built by the government in Delhi and there is no facility. However, I was also told that the game is so new that where would they be able to provide facilities. It’s just up to the Federation. We built a skate park with our own efforts, where we now train young and old children for a fee.’

He adds that the game is a bit expensive.

‘This game takes money. The biggest expense comes on skateboards, guards and shoes. Guards and helmets are a one-time expense, but shoes and skateboards are subject to repeated wear and tear. Every two months or three months, six to seven thousand rupees are spent.’

Anil Dhankar mentions the shortage of skateboard related sports equipment and said that earlier ‘DeKathlon’ was the only source where one had to rely on for skateboarding related equipment, there was no other source from which to buy the equipment.

‘However, other shops have gradually come in, such as Peso and Denki. Then there is Skate Supply India. There are many other sources. But no one’s manufacturing is in India, everyone either imports from America or China, then sells here. Right now India is lagging behind because nothing is made here neither skateboards nor its parts. That is why these things are expensive here.’

According to him, in the skateboard game, America, Brazil, some European countries like France and Japan are at the advanced level. Australia is also doing well. If you look at India’s neighborhood, China is doing well, it has not progressed globally but it is doing better than India.

“I don’t think there is a game in Pakistan right now. Some are in Nepal who come to India to participate in competitions. The level of Indian skateboarders is gradually improving. This time some skateboarders from India are going to play in the Asian Games.