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| Sunday, 27 January 2002 |
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Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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"Bowling"
recognised as the 57th Sport in Sri Lanka
by Pelham Juriansz The Sport of Bowling has been recognised as the 57th Sport in Sri Lanka according to the CEO of the Y2k bowling alley, Hiran Serasinghe. "Plans are under foot to form a federation and soon we will be officially conducting Tournaments" said Serasinghe. Meanwhile the finals of the bowling competition sponsored by Abdeen Jewellers will be held on January 23 at the Y2k Bowling Alley at the Millennium Park, Darley Road. The Y2K Bowling Alley at Darley Road, which has completed two years last year is unique in the fact that it is the first of it's kind in Sri Lanka and to date is the only one. The Bowling Alley, which consists of 12 lanes (two sets of six lanes each) is fully computerised enabling the players to concentrate wholeheartedly on their game leaving the scoring to the computer screens. Though regarded as a sport, it is more a family game. Another advantage of bowling is that it is more a relaxation, and there is no age barrier. Athula Nanayakkara, the Manager of the Bowling alley, said that the game is very popular amongst expatriates, especially Philipinnos. Robie and Jun are the most famous of them with consistent performances at every tournament. The Y2K bowling alley also has its own restaurant serving coffee shop style meals and anything from French fries for a snack to complete meals and mouth watering desserts. The Alley has successfully conducted many Tournaments including school and inter Bank Tournaments. Himalaya Impex, Arena, Sigiriya Vilage, Gateway International have all sponsored Tournaments over the two years, which have been won by Amana Investment, Gateway International, Asian International etc. Bowling which began in 5200 BC in Egypt was made popular by Henry the Eighth when he played with cannon balls. The game of keegal grew around Germany and parts of Europe with Keglars rolling balls at nine long thin skittles. Ten pin bowling began one of USA's biggest pastimes.In 1960 ten pin bowling came to UK with the opening of the Stanford Hill and golden Green bowling centres in london. Tenpin quickly spread through the country with centres opening one after another. The bowling centre has been "invaded" by a number of well known sporting personalities such as Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Arjun Fernando to name a few. Athula Nanayakkara said that they had recently launched the Millennium bowling club, offering Sri Lankans an opportunity to enjoy the game at confessional rates. Explaining the membership schemes, Nanayakkara said that the cost of the ordinary membership is Rs 1500 and it offers a 20 percent discount off bowling games during peak hours, 20 per cent off at the bar as well as 10 percent off on food and soft drinks. "We are offering free packages to ladies as well free coaching to beginners if the require it, and we have also organised kiddies parties on Fridays as well. Earlier Coca Cola were the sponsors of this event and this year spectators and competitors have been assured of good competition in that the many aspirants for fame in the bowling field have taken a keen interest and shown an uncanny knowledge of the game. |
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