Jigawa skaters club seeks support to promote local competition

Jigawa skaters club seeks support to promote local competition

Roller skating enthusiasts in Jigawa State have appealed to the state government to provide greater support for the growth and development of the sport, which is attracting increasing interest among young people.

The enthusiasts noted that skating has become an effective tool for youth engagement, discipline and positive social interaction, as Jigawa skaters club seeks government backing to expand participation and promote the sport across the state.

A cross section of the athletes said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Dutse.

VMT NEWS reports that roller skating, introduced in Dutse many years ago by an enthusiast from Kaduna State, has grown into an organised sporting event with structured training sessions and expanding participation across the state.

Mr Naziru Adamu, Chairman, Jigawa Skaters Club, said he had been involved in the sport for about 15 years.

He recalled that skating began when a visitor from Kaduna introduced it to interested youths, who sustained and expanded it into an organised network with branches across the 27 local government areas of the state.

Adamu, who is also the Coach of the Dutse Skaters Club, said participation has continued to rise, particularly among young people.

“Our team manager has introduced his children into the sport, and they are now doing very well,” he said.

He said the group operated under strict safety rules and did not allow reckless skating on public roads.

“We train every Saturday and Sunday at designated grounds. Whenever we go out for events, everyone must wear reflective jackets and helmets,” he said.

The chairman said members always skated in organised formations and adhered strictly to safety standards.

Adamu said the sport has helped promote unity and reduce youth restiveness by providing a structured recreational outlet.

He said skating activities include high jump, long jump and marathon categories.

The skaters, he said, sought for government support in the areas of training facilities, equipment and sponsorship to enable them develop talents and compete at national level. 

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“We want to be able to represent Jigawa at national skating events, like our counterparts in Abuja and Kaduna,” he said.

Another skater, Yahaya Jibrin, said he joined the sport after developing interest from watching skating performances.

“I started learning after seeing people skate. I have been in the sport for about three years, and also trade in skating equipment,” he said.

According to Jibrin, the cost of maintaining the sport makes it necessary for participants to engage in other livelihoods.

“A pair of skates costs between N30,000 and more, that is why many of us do other work to sustain it,” he said.

He said skaters were misunderstood by the public but they remained committed and responsible youths.

“Some people think we are idle, but that is not true,” he said.

He said that skaters provided entertainment during the just concluded Eid celebrations in Dutse, describing the public response as encouraging.

Jibrin expressed optimism that such support would enable the skaters to represent the state at national competitions.

Also, Mr Muhammad Mustapha, said the sporting event had recorded steady growth in spite of recognition challenges.

He said Dutse Skaters Club has more than 70 registered members, including children and adults, who own their skating equipment.

Mustapha, who also trades in skating equipment, said the business remains irregular and cannot yet serve as a stable source of income.

“Sometimes a week or two passes without a single sale,” he said.

He urged members of the public to stop stereotyping skaters as unemployed youths, stressing that the sport requires commitment and financial investment.

“Anyone who wants quality equipment may spend over N100,000.

“The club’s long-term goal is to expand participation and strengthen the skating community across Jigawa,” he said.