Guwahati: Wilson Hasda, Executive Member (EM) of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), graced the Coco Triples Indoor Bowls Championship 2023, held from December 13th to 18th at the Coco Indoor Bowls Club in Pattaya, Thailand.
The event showcased various engaging sports activities, emphasizing athletic prowess while fostering unity and collaboration among participants and supporters. The championship aimed to highlight the spirit of sportsmanship and celebrate the inclusivity that sports bring to communities worldwide.
The Assam Lawn Bowl team represented India at this international event, comprising eight players from Assam, India, and one from *Malaysia*, forming three groups representing India(Assam) in the championship.
Expressing his delight at being invited as the Distinguished Chief Guest of the event, BTR EM Wilson Hasda commended the Assam team’s performance and expressed joy over their victories in different categories. Hasda praised the team’s efforts and credited their success to the dedication of Team Coach Angshuman Dutta, Vice President Chandan Kumar Nath, and all the players.
“I am delighted to have had this opportunity to motivate our Assam team, which performed admirably. The potential of this sport is evident from the performance of our Assam team compared to teams from other states in our country. In 2019, Nayanmoni Saikia was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award for her remarkable achievements in this field,” remarked Hasda.
A total of 32 groups participated in the championship, including three groups from Assam. Among them, one group reached the Semi-Finals, securing the third position, while another group advanced to the Quarter-Finals. Additionally, an Assam group emerged as champions in the PLAT group. Participants from various countries such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, the Netherlands, China, Philippines, Japan, etc., also participated in the championship.
Participant and sportsman Putul Sonowal stated, “We competed as the India (Assam) team, aiming to prepare for the upcoming Asian championship in March 2024. This event was our preparation ground, offering challenging sessions and the chance to compete against diverse groups. Earlier, I have represented the Indian team in many events including the World Championships and secured a Silver Medal in the 2023 Asian Championship.”
Lawn bowls, also known as lawn bowling, involves rolling biased balls to stop near a smaller ball called a “jack” or “kitty.” It is typically played outdoors on surfaces like natural grass, artificial turf, or cotula in New Zealand. Indoor Bowls, a similar sport, is played indoors on strips resembling the outdoor game’s length.
