7 - 13 March 2002
Issue No.576
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 7 - 13 March 2002 Issue No.576 |
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On a roll
The roller skating season continues tomorrow. Inas Mazhar reports on the game's speed, skill and spills
Few people have heard about a roller skating league in Egypt. For those who would like to get acquainted, tomorrow provides an opportunity.
Around 550 male and female athletes will compete tomorrow as the third week of the championship gets under way at Shams club in Heliopolis.
Week No 2 of the season was held last week at Zohour Club in Nasr City. Participants showed grace while rolling to musical scores but were prevented from presenting their best routines because of the undulating concrete rink. Several parents complained, saying the unevenness of the rink could lead to serious injuries.
While politely thanking Zohour for playing host for the first time, the federation's organising committee said no more events will be held in the club until the court is fixed.
Board member Blanche Salama, head of the artistic skating committee, said she had noticed one more thing in Zohour: the young girls left immediately after finishing their routine. "Next time we will start with the older players in order to let the young girls watch the seniors, learn and gain experience," Salama said.
Surprisingly, there is an Egyptian Skating Federation (ESF), around since 1941. It runs the league championship held over an eight-week period with a break after four weeks.
The federation organises six events a season, including the league and cup championships.
Artistic skating, speed skating and hockey form the ESF's programme. Thirteen clubs are members of the artistic discipline, 24 in speed skating and 22 in hockey.
Championships in artistic skating and speed skating are organised according to ages, starting with the under-eight, all the way up to 20 and the open. Not before the age of 16 can players lace up for hockey.
Both the artistic skating and hockey courts are 20x40 metres. Speed skating is performed on concrete rinks in clubs, and on the road.
Egypt took second place in the African Speedskating League Champions Cup held recently in South Africa and will host the World Speedskating Championship in October.
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