CHRIS NJOKWANA: RUNNING FROM CITY TO CITY (AND FROM THE COPS!) IN SAUDI ARABIA
“A culture shock!” These are the first three words that come from Chris’s mouth when asked what his impression of Saudi Arabia was. Chris Njokwana, 2008 Red Bull Street Style champ and Kamal “Kamalio” Ranchod, the 2009 Red Bull Street Style champ and fellow ambassador, have just returned from a three week, five city tour of the desert country.
“A culture shock!” These are the first three words that come from Chris’s mouth when asked what his impression of Saudi Arabia was. Chris Njokwana, 2008 Red Bull Street Style champ and Kamal “Kamalio” Ranchod, the 2009 Red Bull Street Style champ and fellow ambassador, have just returned from a three week, five city tour of the desert country.
“We had a hectic schedule, touring along with the Red Bull regional qualifiers in five different cities.” Chris tells us and, as is usual for Chris and Kamalio on their travels, there was never a dull moment, “We were performing in a restaurant in a very strict city, which by the way was divided into different sections for families and single people because of laws. ,Anyway, maybe they didn’t like us or something because someone called the police so we had to make a duck for it!”
The strict rules of society also put a different spin on the kind of freestyle soccer performances Chris and Kamalio were able to give, “It was such a different experience from touring in South Africa. For a start there is no music allowed while performing. No music! It’s crazy!”
But despite the restraints, Chris loved every minute of the tour, “I’d go again tomorrow. It was the most incredible experience. Even though the laws in most cities there are very strict, the people were usually warm.”
Also, although freestyle soccer is fairly new in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian freestyle athletes were all up to speed on the international scene, “They all hook up to the net, watch videos on YouTube. They knew Kamalio and I the minute we got there. We were like instant local celebrities, it was pretty cool.”
“But it does mean that their tricks are mainly the ones that were featured last year on the circuit,” Chris adds, although he is sure they will catch up soon though, “There is a crazy amount of talent there, it’s a country to keep an eye on.”
We asked Chris what he thought the Saudi Arabian winner chances were at the Cape Town Red Bull Street Style World Finals in just under two month’s time. “Obviously Basil’s disadvantage is that he has only a few weeks between winning the Saudi Arabian title and competing here in South Africa at the World Finals. Not much time to bring anything new. But like he said to me, he’s coming for the experience. It’ll be an awesome experience for him.”
Chris talks wistfully about the upcoming World Finals, “Of course I’m coming to support Kamalio. But it’s bittersweet for me you know, not being able to compete. It would have been a home crowd for me; it would have been out of this world competing with the whole of Langa behind me. But it’s life.” He smiles, “Maybe next year the SA title will be mine again.”
