Kids in Icy Business

by Anis Azyan

Dressed in an orange and light blue outfit, Abhihkirtthega dances to the song Bole Chudiyan from a Bollywood box-office hit, Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham. Her mother, Shobarani, is watching nearby.

Abhih’s coach, Surayu Ismail, plays the song again when it ends and Abhih starts her routine for the umpteenth time. Occasionally, Surayu calls out “Abhih, move your shoulders!”

It seems like a normal dance practice, except Abhih is only six years old and she will be performing her dance moves on ice. Abhih is training for the upcoming Skate Asia 2008, Asia’s largest figure skating competition.

Figure skating is a growing sport in Malaysia. Parents are sending their children from as young as three years old to the skating rink. In a country like ours where it never snows, the fact that the competition is held here is an indication that young Malaysians are embracing figure skating.

This is the third time Malaysia is hosting the competition, the last being in 2000. Skaters represent their rink, not their country. Instead of technical criteria, skaters will be judged on their skills.

Held in Sunway Pyramid Ice, the country’s only skating rink in Sunway Pyramid, the competition will attract 1000 people- skaters, coaches and their entourage. Malaysia will be represented by 153 participants, the youngest being three-year old Ionna Su. For pictures of Ionna Su, click here.

What is it about the sport that causes people to flock to the skating rink, especially on weekends? Head Coach of Sunway Pyramid Ice, Harry Janto Leo, 29, says “It builds character, people can express what’s inside through performances.”

Skating also helps build good body posture and acts as a great workout. “You actually sweat, unless you just stand there,” he says with a boyish grin.

Shobarani, 31, agrees that skating is a form of expression. She says Abhih is a bit shy, but “with skating, she can express herself.”

But what do kids think of skating?

“Yeah Abhih, your coach always scolds you, why do you like skating?” teases the bubbly Surayu, 25, when Abhih keeps quiet when I ask her.

The camaraderie is evident. A smile emerges out of the girl. “I like it because it’s fun. It’s fun when I’m on the ice.”

Kavitha Guanasambartham, 10, says she likes skating “because it’s fun and enjoyable”.

But it’s not always fun for these children, as they have to juggle between school and practice. Kavitha who has been skating for over a year, will take part in six events in the competition. Some of the songs she will be performing to are SOS by Rihanna, a scene from Disney’s Ice Princess movie, a song from Kisna-an Indian movie, and Genie in the Bottle by Christina Aguilera.

It is about 1 p.m. when I start talking to Kavitha, and seconds later, her mother comes to fetch her.

“She has to go to school,” the mother explains.

As a coach, Surayu faces challenges, especially with the competition coming up. A lot of research on music and choreography is involved, as each student has a different song.

“I have a student who wants to do a Hawaiian dance, another wants to be a genie, and one wants to do something from Cats. And Abhih is doing Bollywood.”

According to Surayu, children are easier to train, because “they have no fear”. In skating, being fearless is an advantage as falling is part of the parcel. And when you fall, you will always have a witness.

But, kids will always be kids.

“After a while, they get restless. They get easily distracted when their friends are around, so sometimes I let them play for a while.”

Because there is not much media coverage on skating as a sport, they have no sponsors. This is hard for the parents, as they have to bear all the cost, and skating comes with a price.

Surayu lays down the overall cost-costume (RM250), classes (RM1500) and brand new skates for a beginner (RM800). In total, it can cost up to RM2550 for a child.

But it’s not all about the kids. As she points out “I also have a mum in her 40’s taking classes. It’s never too late.”

Harry, who is also Assistant Competition Director for Skate Asia 2008, explains that now Pyramid Ice has about 500 students. They have a promotion every school holiday to encourage people to take up figure skating.

“It’s also a family activity. I like it when I see the parents come together with the children,” says Surayu.

We have quantity, but what about quality?

Malaysian skaters definitely have what it takes to compete internationally. “I believe our skaters have potential. For example, in Shenzhen in 2006 (Skate Asia 2006), our skaters came out third,” says Harry.

Skating definitely has a bright future in the hands of these children. While their peers are glued to Hannah Montanna, kids like Abhih and Kavitha are skating their way to success. In the meantime, they’re not afraid to fall.


- The video below shows a girl practicing her routine for Skate Asia 2008.