BANGALORE
Tenpin bowling, as a career sport, is catching on like wildfire amongst youngsters, as the city grooms the best of professional bowlers in India.
It’s unconventional. It’s entertaining and now, people are not just looking at it as a casual sport meant for entertainment, but are choosing tenpin bowling as a serious career option.
Though tenpin bowling may not be as popular as tennis or cricket, and it is not as spectator-friendly, several youngsters in the city are looking at making a career out of it thanks to its international presence and an active state association, which is hungry to produce world-class bowlers.
Tenpin bowling in Bangalore has always found acceptance. With bowling alleys, such as the Mega Bowl at Old Airport Road and a four-lane centre at one of the city’s first shopping malls, Mota Royal Arcade, opening up in the year 1999-2000, the city’s young and happening were introduced pretty early to this urban sport that originated in United Kingdom in 1960s.
In 2003, when the Karnataka State Tenpin Bowling Association (KSTB) was established, there were 40 bowlers in the professional circuit. Today, there are over 140 professional bowlers. And Karnataka has produced five national champions in the past five years.
This upturn in interest for tenpin bowling is due to new methodologies adopted by the association to attract youngsters. “Having college tournaments is one of the best things to have happened for the sport. I was a product of one such tournament and today, I am one of the best bowlers in the country,” says Girish Gaba, an executive at a media house who represented India at the recently held Asian Games in China.
With the Tenpin Bowling Federation of India (TBFI) and the Karnataka State Tenpin Bowling Association (KSTB) going all-out to find young talent and grooming them towards achieving their quest of winning medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Bangalore is on the radar of bowling experts. “I am quite confident of more people taking to bowling as a priority sport in Bangalore when compared to other cities in the country. It is a lot more popular here,” says Kannan Ramachandran, general secretary of Tenpin Bowling Federation of India.
It’s also refreshing for bowling enthusiasts to find schools showing ample interest in their students pursuing this sport and also investing in providing the required infrastructure for them. For instance, Jain International Residential School, located on the outskirts of the city, boasts of a four-lane alley on campus, and the school produces 25-30 bowlers every year.
Also, the best part about the sport is that age doesn’t matter. One can find a 16-year-old taking on a 54-year-old, and the latter might go on to win the title.
What’s all the more encouraging is that, women too are keen on pursuing bowling as a full-time occupation. “I gave up my job three years ago to pursue bowling full-time. I don’t regret making that choice because the sport has given me that much more in return,” says Swapna Mitra, an Asian Games participant.
A huge star-cast is fine but does this compromise the soul of Singham Again?
Shah Rukh Khan's heartfelt gesture towards jewellery store staff wins internet, watch
DNA TV Show: Public calls out celebrities’ hypocrisy on Diwali pollution
Fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63: Last year, he was on ventilator for heart ailments
BCCI scraps India's intra squad warm-up game ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reason revealed
Legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63 after prolonged illness
Another terrorist attack in J-K, militants shoot two non-locals in Budgam
Meet Anish Sarkar, world's youngest FIDE-rated chess player at 3 years
Bigg Boss 18: These two wild cards to enter Salman Khan's show, get into heated argument on stage
Fact check: Did Abhishek Bahchan tie knot with Nimrat Kaur amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai?
Govardhan Puja 2024: History, significance, Puja timings; why it is celebrated after Diwali?
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Birthday: Kajol pens heartfelt wishes for actress, calls her…
Dhirubhai Ambani played matchmaker for Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, he did...
Amid Diwali festivities, UPI sets new record in October with transactions over…
PM Modi's BIG attack on Congress: 'Making unreal promises is easy but...'
Singham Again box office collection day 1: Ajay Devgn film beats Kartik Aaryan-starrer, earns Rs...
'Always fun to...': Google CEO Sundar Pichai shares why Diwali is his 'favourite time of the year'
Why Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals parted ways ahead of IPL 2025 auction? Report makes huge claim
'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', 'Singham Again' banned in Saudi Arabia; know why
Delhi Government announces public holiday for THIS festival, find details here
Despite festive season, Rs 7.90 lakh cars lying unsold, it is worth...; here's the reason
'CSK Ne Chaal Chal Di': Ex-India star takes humourous dig at franchise’s decision on MS Dhoni
IPL 2025: 23-year-old Agra cricketer gets staggering salary increase of 6900 per cent, to earn.....
Nita Ambani turns 60: Know Mukesh Ambani's wife's lavish lifestyle, income, houses and more
NASA shares Diwali wishes with a cosmic twist, reveals Hubble image of...
What is an onion bomb? One killed, six injured in firecracker explosion in Andhra Pradesh
Meet IIT-JEE topper with AIR 1, who scored 341 marks in JEE Advanced, went on to pursue...
25 Billion Kilometers and Broken Voice: The Voyager 1 Saga
Mukesh Ambani's superhit plan for Jio users, 2GB data per day, unlimited calls at just Rs...
Bigg Boss 18: Shehzada Dhami out from Salman Khan's show? Here's what we know
Virat Kohli's epic dance move to 'My Name is Lakhan' during IND vs NZ match goes viral, WATCH
Indian man asking Selena Gomez to chant 'Jai Shree Ram' leaves internet furious, video goes viral
Lioness and leopard engage in fierce battle on tree top, what happens next will leave you shocked
OnePlus 13 launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC: Price details, battery and other specifications
Apple CEO Tim Cook shares Diwali photo, gives shoutout to Delhi photographer, post goes viral
LPG commercial cylinder price hiked from November 1; check revised rates in your city
Swiggy's next BIG step, set to challenge Mukesh Ambani in…
Singham Again review: A solid Ajay Devgn headlines Rohit Shetty's biggest entertainer
Bibek Debroy, noted economist and PM Modi's Economic Council Chairman, dies at 69
Bank Holidays In November 2024: Banks to remain closed for 12 days, state-wise list here
No respite for citizens, Delhi registers warmest October in 73 years
Girl's jalebi-rum cocktail video goes viral, social media says 'uff moment', WATCH
Good news for Gautam Adani, as he gets richer by Rs 39,000 crore in a week due to...
US Defence Secretary Austin discusses 'regional de-escalation' with Israeli counterpart Gallant
Govardhan Puja 2024: Shubh muhurat, rituals, significance of Annukut
Singham Again first cut review by DNA: Ajay Devgn leads an explosive film in style
Diwali 2024: Check Lakshmi Puja muhurat, timing, rituals for November 1
Ratan Tata's Will: Who will get Tata's beachfront Colaba residence, luxury car collection?
Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani live on 27th floor of Rs 15000 crore Antilia, know who all have access
Seven killed in Israel after Hezbollah targets Metula, Haifa, IDF pounds Lebanon, Syria
LPG prices to telecom rules: 5 major changes will come into effect today
Bank holiday on Diwali: Are banks open or closed on November 1? Check state-wise bank holiday list
Diwali muhurat trading session today: Know timing, significance and more
IND vs NZ: When, where to watch India vs New Zealand 3rd Test match live on TV and online
Meet IPS officer, who was an established athlete, later cracked UPSC with AIR...
IND vs NZ 3rd Test, Mumbai weather forecast: Will rain play spoilsport on Day 1 at Wankhede stadium?