Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

**Preserving the legacy of lawn bowling in a high-tech world from novices to seasoned tacticians.** In a world where high-speed, adrenaline-fuelled sports often take centre stage in captivating the hearts of players and fans, such as the frenetic fever pitch of football or the traditional but intense *sepak takraw*, some sports are hidden gems that also have the same propensity to captivate the hearts of players young and old alike. With its refined elegance and strategic nuances that are passed down for generations, the sport of lawn bowl can transcend time to attract all forms of players regardless of history or culture. Amidst the manic hustle of modern life, this sport stands as a reminder of the joys of leisurely camaraderie and strategic finesse. As a game that can be traced back to ancient civilisations, lawn bowl has defied the passage of time and remained relevant in the 21st Century. The simple premise and goal of lawn bowl is to roll a slightly asymmetrical ball, known as a bowl, towards a smaller target ball called the jack, on a meticulously manicured grassy green. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/V6u4PzTtA7ycYlzriu8rh-rfcr-wWw5qZdcbt1j2tg1.jpeg) The distance between the jack and bowl measured to determine the winner in lawn bowl. PHOTO: DANIEL LIM While simple in theory, beneath this simplicity lies a rich tapestry of skill and strategy that has attracted both the seasoned tacticians and the novices looking for an engaging pastime. One of the most striking aspects of lawn bowling’s resurgence is its ability to bridge generational gaps, as evident in a recent Lawn Bowl Tournament in the Belait District that saw players from seasoned veterans to newcomers taking onto the grassy green to show their true prowess in the sport. Organised by the Belait District Branch of the Youth and Sports Department together with the Belait District Office, the competition was held in conjunction with the 77th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Among the 58 competitors was a surprise newcomer to the sport Mohd Shamizan Azmee bin Mohd Khairul Syawal Azmee who at 16 years old, managed to achieve first place despite being his first time playing and competing in the sport. Mohd Shamizan Azmee recalled how he had just started just a week before the start of the tournament. “It was my teacher that inspired me to start playing lawn bowl, he told me that lawn bowl is fun and I should try it and I did. To my surprise, I was able to do well in this tournament,” he said. Having placed first in the male youth category of the tournament, he did feel nervous at first going up against other competitors, many of whom had more experience in the sport than him. “It was a challenge, not only in going up against more experienced opponents but also to convince myself to perform to the best of my ability,” he said. Similarly, female youth category winner Nur Quratul Aini Layinah binti Azmi also shared how she first found her passion for lawn bowling at school: “We do play lawn bowl at school as part of our physical education class, it can be tough to remain focused on the bowl.” While precision, strategy, and keen observation are paramount to success, some players who choose to partake in the sport of lawn bowls also find that it can be a relaxing and therapeutic avenue which is how Bahrin bin Emran is able to embrace the sport as a veteran. “I find lawn bowl to be very relaxing as we just have to focus on ensuring that we can send the bowl down the green. It (lawn bowl) is also a sport that teaches us how to think critically on how to properly manage spacing to ensure that we hit the jack,” he said. For lawn bowl aficionados such as Bahrin, he also noted that the games can get intense when it comes down to the wire. “There were a couple of times during the tournament that the bowls came very close to each other, and those are the times that we can truly learn from it,” he said. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/GRfXuCBGveoJPLxfYHYb3-Al92OaM79dObsw9_JiQYL.jpeg) Bahrin bin Emran in action. PHOTO: DANIEL LIM Perhaps one of the sport’s most endearing qualities is the strong sense of community it fosters, as Bahrin noted: “Lawn bowl can be played with two or three people, but the more people there are, the more chances there are to learn, share our experience, and to have fun.” In a time where traditional pastimes are often overshadowed by technological innovations, lawn bowling’s ability to preserve its timeless charm is both commendable and remarkable. As players young and old continue to roll their bowls on the pristine greens, they ensure that this elegant sport’s legacy remains intact for generations to come, who are linked by their passion for a sport that encapsulates the essence of camaraderie, and strategy. – Daniel Lim

Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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