Bowled over by Tenpins

Sitting in a dimly lit arena with music playing softly in the background, Karnataka's top tenpin bowlers were all smiles as they went about their business. Among the group is Aakash Ashok Kumar who was the 2011 Commonwealth Championship bronze medalist. And with the game garnering acclaim, it is only time before others will also start winning at tenpins.

When asked about what keeps them motivated, “Get more strike than the other," said Aakash, among the earliest crop of full-time bowlers in the city.

Tenpin bowling has always been popular in India but predominantly as a recreation, more than a sport. The face of tenpin bowling has evolved over the past few years with more youngsters taking to the bowling alley. The city for one has turned into the hub for the sport over the years with a clutch of them in the national elite and development squad.

“When I started, it was more as entertainment and a passion. But I got trained by professionals and it helped me get into the sport seriously," recollected 26-year-old Aakash, adding, “Then the federation started looking for talent at college level. Now, we have a good pool of youngsters in the city."

With Bangalore being a city where quantity of sport rivals the quality, it is no surprise that the youngsters are flocking to a sport that has been around the fringes.

Perhaps the greatest influence in the shift of the bowling landscape came about when Kannan R, the current secretary-general of the Tenpin Bowling Federation (I), set his mind on making a change for the better.

“There are 12 gold medals at stake for bowling in the Asian Games. When you have that many at stake, it seemed ideal to work towards it," explained Kannan.

With two training sessions a day, the life of a tenpin bowler is packed to the rafters. “In the morning, I attend college and I come for training in the afternoon," said Pavithra DM, an upcoming bowler. “It's exciting and challenging to manage studies and bowling, but I love it."

Radhika Kumari, on the other hand quit her job to pursue it. “Bowling is an addiction. You just can't leave it," she gushed, adding, “When I started it was fun and I can't believe that I am representing the national team now." Despite the accolades that the bowlers have landed for India, the sport as a whole is still in its infancy.

“People looking at our game are impressed. That is how we are looking to increase the popularity," believes Aakash. "When we are achieving medals and podiums and making a name in India only then does the sport gets better."

The desire to put the sport on the map is something that is quite easily visible in all their eyes and given their belief and talent it sure isn't a far-fetched dream.