Guwahati: Far from the commotion of a multi-sport tournament, Lawn Bowls would typically have made a discreet entrance and an even quieter leave with only a select few aficionados enjoying the performance.
However, the 36th National Games are anticipated to begin on Wednesday at the Kensville Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Ahmedabad with great hoopla.
The men’s team of Sunil Bahadur, Navneet Singh, Chandan Kumar Singh, and Dinesh Kumar recently won silver, while the women’s team of Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia, Lovely Choubey, and Rupa Rani Tirkey recently won gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which completely altered the dynamics of the sport.
Yes, our accomplishments at the Commonwealth Games this year may well mark a turning point for the sport, according to Navneet Singh, 27, who will compete for Delhi and was a member of the successful Indian team. “The fact that so many people will be seeing us compete in the National Games is quite exciting. All of a sudden, parents want to enrol their kids in this game, “Added he.
Jharkhand was a fan favourite in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions in the beginning. Rupa Rani Tirkey and Lovely Choubey, two CWG stars, are members of the women’s team. Another member of the Indian team for the CWG, Pinki, has played a significant role in developing the sport in Delhi.
Men from Jharkhand include Chandan Singh and Dinesh Kumar, who were a part of the Indian team that placed second in Birmingham’s Fours Event. Navneet Singh leading their challenge is what Delhi hopes for.
In any case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intense interest in the Lawn Bowl led to its relocation to Gujarat from its original location on the synthetic playfield in New Delhi.
The city’s lack of a playing arena for the sport was noted by Paras Sharma, the tournament manager and an international technical officer.
“Since we ran out of time, it was a significant difficulty. However, we are pleased that we were able to prepare the venue for the Games. We laid the grass in 25 days, although it typically takes 60 to 90 days to get the course competition-ready “said Paras Sharma.
Given that it takes more than three months to establish the ground, he added, “A synthetic turf was not feasible.”
But the athletes will be content. In Birmingham, India had won the first-ever two medals on grass. Four medals apiece for men and women will be up for grabs in the singles, doubles, triples, and four events.