SPORTS AND BOWLING 101

Can't remember when was the last time I bowl. It's been ages I think..sometime 8-10 years ago? Last Wednesday, 13 June 2007 was the return of Mama's bowling legacy. My office (TM Selatan) held a bowling tournament in conjunction with the farewell gathering for our current GM - Tn Hj Mohd Fateh Haniff who will end his service in TM due to expiry of his tenure period and compulsary pension.

Our team comprised of Hj Kamsaini (HK), Jaini Jumingan (JJ) and myself - the guys registered me as Mak Leha (ML). I was not sure how experienced the 2 guys in my team were but I know I am qualified, it's just that I do not bowl regularly - mind you, I stopped participating in sports some 14 years ago? Just after I got married. That explains why I became oversize...hehehhe excuse and more excuse..

There was this guy in my team - the usual one who likes to tease me. He was sceptical about my bowling skill. He even sms me " aku tak mahu kau jadi penyebab kekalahan team kita"..sounded hush but knowing him, I know he was just joking. I was contemplating myself whether to give up or to proceed. I know apart from taking home the prize (???..!!!) , my body will ache all over. But the challenge was so tempting....
The tournament was held at Daiman Bowl, Johor Jaya, JB. Big place with about >30 bowling alleys. The participation was about 20+ teams from TM and JKH contractors combined. Our team was stationed at alley no 3 and 4 together with other 2 teams. We had to play 3 games and the highest group scores will win. The best part was, the prizes were for the best 10 teams. Our team targeted for 9th or 10th placing. Ladies will get 10 points handicapped per game.

The first game was quite OK. Yours truly managed to get >100 scores on average with 5 strikes and several spares. Good for a long-time-no-play me. My scores were as per below :

First Game - 113 + 10 = 123
Second game - 105 + 10 = 115
Third game - 123 + 10 = 133

Surprisingly the guys didn't do that well. I managed to beat THAT guy and I felt very proud about it. The final game was my best and HIS worst. That scores kept his mouth sealed for a while. We came in no 8, which was ahead of our target. TM and JKH equally won the 10 best teams and our team included.
The cramps and achings of knee, ribs and back came in as early as 3rd game.
I just ignore it. The pain worsen untill the next day. That night I slept around 3am, I told Hana, officemate and my hotel roomate, that I started my bowling lesson way back in my University years 1988-1989. I took bowling class as part of my electives and got distinction for that class. Me and my collegemate bowled quite often especially over the weekend and semester break. The sports complex at Texas A&I University was within walking distance from where we used to live. Apart from bowling, I also cycled, played tennis, badminton, racquet ball and archery. That explained my enthusiast in sports. When I joined TM, I took up where I left, I played tennis, volleyball, squash and bowling - that was before I got married. I practically put a stop to all of that after I got married. Now I am picking up badminton with Abang Afif and probably bowling later can be part of our family activities.

Being a second child and an active one too, sports and I get along very well. I hope all my kids will follow my foot step. Ngah Afini, my second child seemed to do just that. She swims very well, plays netball, badminton and karate-do. Abang Afif is into badminton and football. He can swim too. Ayie and Aliff, on the other hand, do not show any interest in any particular games yet. I am sure they will develop it in years to come.

I hope all my kids will take up sports. Being active in sports can increase your thinking and tactical skills. You will learn about teamworking and the spirits of winning. Finally you will learn more about yourself. Life is full of winning and losing - what matters most is how you handle both situations. I learnt a lot through sports and part of it has made me a better person.

We left for home later the next day. I purposely left the prize unopened until I got home. When I reached home, Aliff was already sleeping. The other 3 got the chance to see what's inside the box. Tok Mi was there too. It was a cordless electrical kettle. Not bad. I gave the prize to Darsih, my maid as I don't need extra kettle. I still keep the unused kettle (our wedding present some 13 years ago..!!) She could use it for her new house. It was a token for accompanying Tok Mi while I was away.

Yeeessssss....What a satisfying experience...

sayang selalu,

mama