CHENNAI: The 11th Junior National Roll Ball Championship, organised by the Rollball Association of Tamilnadu, is going on in Chennai and it ends today. For the uninitiated, the game was invented by Raju Dabhade, a sports teacher in Pune in 2003. From then on, Roll Ball has been played across 52 countries in several national championships, international world leagues and even four World Cups till date. It’s rare that a game has had worldwide reach in a span of 14 years. To understand the nuances of the sport and the status of its popularity in the city, we speak to a few people in the city.
What is it?
Roll Ball combines basketball and throwball while skating on inline roller skates. The play consists of two teams of 12 players each, six substitute players in the trenches, five field players and a goaltender. The basics are deceivingly simple; players move toward the goal while dribbling or passing a ball (similar to a basketball), with the aim of throwing the ball into a goal at each end of the court. The team that is able to score more goals, wins. Each game lasts an hour, split into two sessions of 25 mins each, with a 10-minute break in between.
“Roll Ball is a fast game, and players get tired quickly. That’s why six substitute players are kept on call,” explains Nanjundeswaran, joint secretary, TN State Roll Ball Association. Speed skating is the basic requirement for roll ball. One needs to have balance, speed, accuracy and agility. “Based on your interest, you can learn the sport in either one day or one month. It’s all about dedication,” says Adalophe Jerome Peter, roll ball coach and senior player.
‘Make in India’ game
Manojkumar Yadav, VP, Roll Ball Federation of India, who was present in the city for the championships, says, “They say ‘Speed thrills, but also kills’, but here speed only thrills! It’s such a high-speed game, and is a team game.” An ex-cricketer who played for the Ranji Trophy, he enthuses about how the sport has reached all the continents of the world. “We should consider roll ball as part of the ‘Make in India’ movement,” he says. “All players may not be playing for their state or country, but the sport can bring so many benefits to the country at large, and the player too. Roll ball has created many job opportunities in the form of sports coaches, in addition to providing benefits for the players themselves through sports-quota admissions for higher education.”
Chennai yet to catch up!
However, as popular it is abroad, in Chennai, not a lot of people know about it, feels Bhoopathi, treasurer, TN State Roll Ball Association. “That’s why we decided to conduct the 11th championship in the city. We had a lot of enquiries and that’s encouraging,” he says.
The Chennai district body for the sport was registered in 2013, with Kalyanam as the president. Roll Ball is being taught at Shenoy Nagar Park and Anna Nagar Park, but officially, classes are yet to take off. “We have to spread more awareness and finalise the logistics. We will gradually introduce class sessions soon,” says Mamnimozhi, office-bearer, Chennai District Roll Ball Association. “We will have a demonstration match during Christmas holidays.”
The game
Invented in 2003
Played in 52 countries
4 World Cups held so far
International League Championships
South Asia, Africa and Asia
European League is under discussion
Rules
The ball can be held in either one or both hands, even during passing and shooting.
Player interaction is similar to basketball — a player must dribble the ball while carrying it.
It is a violation to run or roll with the ball without dribbling or to deliberately kick or block the ball with any part of the leg.
To accidentally come into contact or touch the ball with the foot or leg is not a violation.
Players must not strike the ball with a fist.
Foul rules are similar to those of association football, including the use of yellow and red cards.
For details, visit www.rollball.org or call Bhoopathi, treasurer, TN State Roll Ball Association at 9942555299