The Sakumono Skating Club has held the third edition of the Annual Skating Games organised for the various skating clubs within parts of the Greater Accra Region.
This is to showcase the talents and skills of members and visiting clubs through the various disciplines, and promote sports for development. It is an annual game organised as part of community development of the Sakumono area. The games are also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals which deal with good health and well-being and quality education. It also serves as an opportunity to create awareness.
An initiative which started with just some kids as a group about three years ago has grown to have more than five skating groups participate. The groups includes Zion Skating Club, Sakumono Skating Club, Victory Skating Club, Full Force Skating Clubs, among others.
Speaking on the importance of skating, the Chairman for the Organising Committee, Ernest Gavor, mentioned that: “Sports, as a discipline, is a great tool in the development of children. Skating, as a sport, provides a unique opportunity to build the physical, mental and social acumen of its patrons. It works nearly every muscle group in the body, and gliding requires a synchronised movement of the legs and promotes cardiovascular health”.
Mr. Gavor admitted that skating, among other sports, has not been given the needed patronage in the country; but he was positive about plans that are underway to help skating become an active sport in the country.
“It is something we are doing but some of these advocacies take a lot of time; so, we are trying to be part of a federation and make sure it is functional, then we take it from there and engage the necessary stakeholders. It has always been football but there are more games to be added. So, we are using this to advocate for that,” he said.
The belief by many that skating is expensive, according to him, is not entirely true but stated that the investment made by parents into the kids are worth it.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, who graced the occasion, urged the participants to ensure they continue to practise while ensuring discipline plays a key role in the game. He donated to support the event as his contribution to ensure its success.
About the event
The Sakumono Skating Club Annual Games has been instituted to provide a platform for healthy competition in the roller-skating disciplines. The annual games, held in the Sakumono community, also gives parents and well-wishers the opportunity to witness the various skills of their wards.
The club envisages the games to be the leading skating competition in the country that will attract patronage, both home and abroad. It is expected to connect hundreds of audiences from around Greater Accra, generating enormous commercial returns.
The event also seeks to shape skaters’ character through social and emotional learning activities, making parents aware of the role of sports in shaping character. In addition, the event exposes skaters to international roller skating rules as well as imbibe in skaters to compete with values.
