Ammar Bakhtiar amazing onlookers with his skateboard skills at the clinic. — Bernama
The agility of children on skateboards attracted the admiration of visitors at National Training Week (NTW) 2024 held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Particularly captivating were the talents of Ammar Bakhtiar Nikko Budi Bucktiar, nine, who showcased impressive manoeuvres at a skateboard clinic organised by Malaysia Skateboard Lesson.
Ranked third nationally in skateboarding for the under-16, Ammar Bakhtiar expressed his fascination for the sport despite its risks.
“I saw others skateboarding one day and decided to try it.
“It was tough at first but I practised every day after school,” said the third of four siblings.
His mother, Suryanti Abd Rahman, said she never discouraged Ammar Bakhtiar and his five-year-old brother from skateboarding and fully supported them in competitions.
“I choose competitions for them based on their skills,” said Suryanti, as reported by Bernama.
Mohd Zamri Mohd Ramli, skateboard clinic coach and former national head coach, noted the positive reception during NTW 2024.
He aims to expand the sport in the country.
“While skateboarding has gained Olympic recognition since its debut at Tokyo 2020, its popularity still needs nurturing locally,” he shared.
While his workshop participants were enthusiastic about skateboarding, Mohd Zamri pointed out that access to practice spaces was limited.
“Our goal at NTW is to expose them to opportunities by leveraging national training centres,” he said, adding that the workshops aimed to cultivate talent from a young age all the way to Olympic level.
Mohd Zamri, who is also a skateboard sports judge with Olympic Council of Malaysia, emphasised inclusivity, with training accommodating participants as young as three.
