Date: 2018-08-02

Roll Ball invented in Pune is taking the sporting world by storm

Roll Ball is a unique sport invented in 2003 in Pune by sports coach Raju Dabhade and his team. The game combines elements of speed skating, basketball, handball, and hockey, with players skating while dribbling, passing, and scoring goals.

What began as an experiment with a few schoolchildren in Kothrud has grown into an international sport played in about 42 countries. India is one of the strongest nations in the sport, with both men's and women's teams achieving success in international competitions.

The article highlights how the sport evolved over time, with changes to rules, field dimensions, and equipment as participation expanded. It also notes growing involvement from women athletes and increasing global recognition through events such as the Roll Ball World Cup and South Asian Championships.

A notable milestone mentioned is a 24-hour Roll Ball match in 2018 involving 309 players, which set a world record. The sport's founders hope it will eventually gain recognition at major international events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

Roll Ball is a Pune-born skating team sport that has grown from a local school experiment into an internationally played game with aspirations of becoming an Olympic sport.