The lanes were alive with the sounds of rolling balls, hits and enthusiastic cheers as students from universities across the region flocked for the highly anticipated Bliss Intercollegiate Bowling Competition. This annual event, the first of its kind, took place on Friday, June 21, 2024 and brought together bowling students in a spirited display of skill, teamwork and sportsmanship.
The competition was held at Bliss Family Entertainment, a venue known for its state-of-the-art facilities and lively atmosphere. With 6 lanes, a bustling arcade area, an exciting trampoline arena and teacup ride, the center provided the perfect setting for a weekend of action and high-energy camaraderie.
This competition featured teams from 5 universities, each bringing their A-game to the lanes. The line-up included maiden champions University of Ghana, alongside strong contenders from UPSA, UniMAC (GIJ), Accra Institute of Technology and Ghana University of Communication Technology. Each team, consisting of 3 bowlers, displayed a combination of skills despite being first-time bowlers.
Each school completed a scheduled practice session prior to the match.
Round 1: Qualifier
The first round started in a round-robin format, allowing all teams to compete against each other. The atmosphere was electric as each bowler took his turn, aiming for strikes and spares. The top two bowlers from each school advanced to the next level. Early standouts were Precious of UPSA, star bowler Resh Lord of GCTU who played an impressive knock and Shehu of AIT.
Round 2: The knockout stage
The penultimate stage saw the competition heat up as the top ten bowlers were split into four groups for selection in the Grand Final. The matches were intense, with every frame carrying the weight of victory or elimination. The University of Ghana, true to form, showed remarkable consistency and saw two members of the team secure their place in the finals.
The grand finale
The final match between the University of Ghana, the Ghana University of Communication Technology and UPSA was nothing short of exciting. Spectators were on the edge of their seats as the lead swung back and forth. GCTU’s Resh Lord fired up the crowd with a perfect game, but UG’s Sampson’s effort, punctuated by clutch hits, ultimately saw the University of Ghana emerge as the maiden champions of the Bliss Inter-University Bowling Competition.
Thoughts and Awards
After the intense competition, a hearty closing ceremony honored the participating schools with a certificate of participation along with Bliss Family Entertainment souvenirs for all the bowlers. The Championship Trophy went to the University of Ghana along with a 3000 ghc Playtime Voucher at Bliss Family Entertainment.
The MVP award went to Resh Lord of GCTU who led his team to second place and won 1,000 ghc and 1500 ghc game time voucher respectively.
Look forward
The Bliss Intercollegiate Bowling Competition not only showcased the remarkable talent on our campuses, but also fostered a sense of community and friendly competition and exposed students to the amazing game of bowling. Plans for next year’s event are already underway, with discussions about expanding the competition to include more universities and additional categories.
We look forward to working with various companies through sponsorships.
In conclusion, this year’s competition was a testament to the passion and dedication of the student athletes. As the pins reset for the next round of practice, one thing is clear: the future of college bowling is brighter than ever.
Want to race next year? Share your favorite moments and photos on social media with the hashtag #BlissInterUniBowling2024. Let’s keep the spirit of the game alive and celebrate our champions!
Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or a curious spectator, the Bliss Intercollegiate Bowling Tournament offers an exciting look into the world of college sports. We can’t wait to see what next year holds.
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