Lawn Bowling is ready to do what cricket, football, tennis and kabaddi have done — take the league leap. The sport, which has been played at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) for years now, will witness The Royal Bowling League next month with eight teams. The teams will be owned by various people and companies but will consist of players who are Royal members.

The action was bowl-started at the RCGC Maidan Tent on Thursday evening with the team auction seeing 12 prospective owners bidding for the eight squads. Among them was a showstopper — Tollywood star Tanusree Chakraborty. “I have always been interested in sports and Lawn Bowling is a novel game so I thought I would start from here. It is not a very popular sport yet so this league will help it gain popularity. I’ll be giving it my all and hoping for the best. Today is just the first day, let’s see what happens,” said the actress in a white top and a nautical-striped skirt.
 

Tanusree even tried her right hand at bowling before raising it to bid for the team called Bowling Bravehearts. She changed into flats from heels and got rolling! Arming herself with a wood, she aimed at the jack and came quite close almost every time. “I’ve heard about Lawn Bowling from a number of my friends but this is the first time I tried it. I was taught very well (by Team India bowler Samit Malhotra) and they said I wasn’t too bad! I feel quite excited righted now,” laughed the Buno Haansh girl.

“The Royal Bowling League will help promote the game. RCGC has about 60 members who are into bowling and we’re hoping with this league, other members will come forward and take to the sport,” said Navratan Mohta, convener of Lawn Bowls, RCGC.

Tanusree’s Bowling Bravehearts will be up against teams owned by the likes of Vedic Realty, NK Realtors and Ramson Logistics in the RBL from September 3 to September 21 at the RCGC Maidan Tent.

Deborima Ganguly
Pictures: Sayantan Ghosh