The skating club at KNUST has been instrumental in bringing students together, offering them a temporary escape from academics while strengthening their minds and bodies.
On Friday and Saturday late afternoons, when the basketball thumps quiet down, skating rollers begin to whir and clack as they glide on the old basketball court just beside the University Hall.
One of the skaters, Malvin, a second-year Biotechnology student, prefers to tie a handkerchief around the tip of his Nike sneakers while skateboarding, a unique expression of his personal style.
“In my first year, one of my course mates introduced me to skating through his brother, who was in fourth year. I tried it, loved it, and bought a skateboard for myself,” he explains how he got into the sport.
“We hang out here, we talk, we laugh, and we’re not exposed to the harsh realities of the world. It’s a space we escape to,” he adds.
Rexford Agyemang has been skating for the past five years. He first picked up the sport while in his third year.
Though he’s now done with school, the court continues to summon him. Every Saturday, he picks up his black rollers and returns to relive the joy.
“A friend introduced me to it. So far, it has been great. Anytime I feel depressed or anxious, skating helps me feel okay. It’s a great way to clear my mind, it’s really good exercise and a sport to indulge in,” he shares.
Rexford is also proud of how he’s applied lessons from skating to real-world challenges.
“Learning a new skill requires discipline and hard work, and the same applies to our daily activities. If you’re able to exert that energy here, you can channel it into other areas of life,” he reflects.
There are lady skaters, too
With a sport that often involves cuts and bruises, one might think it’s not a “girl thing,” but Iyabode Humu Alabi is here to prove otherwise. The fourth-year Computer Science student and former basketball player started skating last semester and hasn’t looked back.
“I picked this up because I was bored and wanted to try something new besides basketball,” she explains.
She recounts the challenges she’s faced: “I’ve almost been knocked down by a car and have dealt with cuts, but it’s fun!”
For first-year Architecture student Rhoda Korankye, walking feels like a chore, and skating has become her unusual escape.
“I love the board. It’s faster than walking, so I choose to skate,” she says.
Horizon: The Skating Club
The skating club at KNUST, called Horizon, was formed years ago with just a few members. Today, it boasts hundreds of skaters.
No registration fee is required to join. The only prerequisites, besides your kit, are courage and the willingness to persevere after a fall.
“It’s free. You just have to come to the court on Fridays and Saturdays at 4 p.m. Meet anyone there, and they’ll introduce you to the admins. They’ll guide you on purchasing the kit, and then you can start,” Rexford explains.
“But bear in mind, you’ll definitely fall. Falling is part of the journey, but when you fall, you get up,” he encourages.
Story by Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah (URO) | Photos by Emmanuel Offei (URO)
