July,1: When the Dhunga Skate-aid Butwal Skatepark was under construction in Tilottama of Rupandehi district, Khusi BK used to sit nearby and look at a unique and new structure being constructed at a five-minute walking distance from her home. 

After the construction was completed and the park opened to the public in 2022, Khusi continued arriving near the park to look at others skating. 

“Khusi could be seen amazed while seeing others skate. When we asked her to come and try skateboarding, she caught our attention. We could not stop ourselves from supporting Khusi in the sport as she showed great promise,” said Jagrit Pahadi, Founder and President of Skate-aid Nepal. 

Born in an underprivileged family on October 3, 2011, Khusi currently studies in grade eight at a local school. “Khusi’s family could not afford to teach her skating. She was not supported morally as well. However, she has overcome several challenges to become the national champion at such a tender age,” Pahadi stressed.

Khusi, who is now 13 years old, won the 7th National Skateboard Championship in the senior female category at Tokha Skate Park on Saturday. Similarly, 18-year-old Basanta Rai emerged victorious in the senior male category. 

After the win, Khusi and Basanta qualified to represent Nepal in the skateboarding event at the World Skate Games in Italy in September.

“Khusi won a silver medal at the 5th South Asian Skateboard Competition in December 2023. 

Six months later, she became the national champion and qualified for Italy. Her growth in the sport is promising,” said Pahadi, who will also be training Khusi and Basanta for the event in Italy.

Nevertheless, despite emerging as a wonder girl in skateboarding, Khusi has not received enough support from her family.

“As Khusi’s family is poor, they do not support her in skating. We had to convince them a lot to bring her to Kathmandu for the national championship. We are returning to Butwal to now convince Khusi’s family to let her participate in the World Championship,” said Pahadi. 

It is not the first time that Nepal is participating in the World Skate Games. As the champions and runner-up of the 5th National Skateboard Championship, Basanta and Gajendra Bardewa participated in the 2022 World Skate Games in Sharjah, UAE, in January-February 2023. Similarly, Samishya Rai aka Loriin Rai and Pemba Shrestha had qualified from the female category.

In the event in Sharjah, Basanta, Gajendra and Loriin could not make it past the first stage. 

“While four skateboarders qualified for the event in Sharjah, Pemba did not participate due to family reasons. It is not easy for girls to continue their career in sports,” said Achut Khanal, President of the Nepal Skating and Skateboarding Association (NSSA).

Thus, Pahadi argued that convincing Khusi’s family to the permission to take part in the event in Italy would be difficult. “I am returning to Butwal with Khusi. I will be directly visiting her family as soon as we reach home,” he added.

As a 13-year-old, Khusi will compete against senior and experienced skateboarders in Italy.

“When skateboarding debuted in the Olympics in Japan in 2020, 13-year-old Nishiya Momiji clinched the gold in the first-ever women's street skateboarding. Khusi can also bring international medals for Nepal with proper training and support,” said Khanal.

Quoting Khusi, Pahadi said, “I like skateboarding. I want to continue skating. I am thankful for the support I have received to date.”

According to Khanal, the Association will train Basanta and Khusi in Tokha as well as in Pokhara and Butwal with the available resources. 

“If all goes well, the duo will leave for Italy in early September. We expect better results from them in the upcoming tournaments,” Khanal said.