Having lived in Pakistan, when one thinks sports the first thing that pops into one’s head is Cricket. If one were to widen the field one might even add hockey (our official national sport) into the mix. Football, however, does not immediately come to mind nor does the notion that an alternative sport could make its way into the local circuit. That was the mindset that had prevailed before Red Bull Street Style (RBSS) came to Pakistan this year.
What IS Red Bull Street Style, you ask? RBSS is an alternative sports world cup (currently in its 2nd year globally and the first for Pakistan). Players compete based on their wicked hip hop/street dancing moves mixed with skillful control of a soccer ball. Talented individuals from Lahore, Karachi & Islamabad fought out the competition in regional qualifiers to secure their place in the Pakistan finals which took place this weekend at the Forum Mall in Karachi.
The event was nothing short of an amazing treat as the disappointment in recent “national” sports had left me longing for something new. The festivities, which started on a high note only kept building in energy as the day traversed into the night. Lights, Camera, Street Style is how I described it in my head as the “razzle dazzle” never truly ceased to amaze not just myself, but also the audience, that cheered on the show with boundless energy. Street Style might be a new concept to a lot of us, but the talent on display certainly took no prisoners when it came to their style, creativity & control. 16 players faced off 1-on-1 in 3 minute bouts as the judges kept thinning the crowd. What is notable to mention is that the impromptu talent which the host discovered in the audience themselves included wicked beat-boxers and impressive freestyle dancers that reminded everyone from time to time just how talented us Pakistani’s really are. The judges hailing from their own impressive backgrounds included savant Art Director Maliha Rao (Style), hip hop authority Benazir Azeem (Creativity) and former coach and player of the Pakistan National Team, Mr. Ahmed Ali Wasti (Control). Reeking of all three traits that the judges were looking for, 18 year old Areeb Iqbal from Karachi clinched the title of Pakistan Champion from rival finalist Taimur Rauf and earned the chance to represent Pakistan at the RBSS World Finals later this year in Cape Town, South Africa.
During the ceremony Areeb exclaimed,
I have nothing but the utmost respect for my competitors and I hope that I can make Pakistan proud at the world finals.” He later went on to add, “Pakistan has a lot of talent in sports other than cricket, hockey and soccer. I hope to see platforms for such alternative sports actively increase in number because our nation is full of amazing talent waiting for a chance to be found!
Project leader for Street Style, Usman Hijazi stated,
Our organization has a number of different sports that we encourage and promote on an international level. Pakistan has shown tremendous talent during the course of the qualifiers and we hope to bring Street Style to Pakistan annually, making it bigger each year.
Co-sponsored by Djuice, the RBSS finale turned out to be an event that will for long differentiate itself from others in my memory. A candid conversation with the organizers revealed their enthusiasm to make RBSS in Pakistan bigger every passing year and I for one cannot wait till this train leaves the station next year. All we can do till then is anxiously follow Areeb’s journey to South Africa (http://www.facebook.com/RBSSPakistan) and hope that more of these platforms, giving talented individuals in this proud nation a chance to showcase their skills, spring up and take charge!
See images from the competition below:
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