The lanes were alive with the sounds of rolling balls, clattering pins, and enthusiastic cheers as students from universities across the region converged for the highly anticipated Bliss Inter-University Bowling Competition. This annual event, first of its kind was held on Friday, 21st June, 2024 and brought together student bowlers in a spirited display of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The competition took place at Bliss Family Entertainment, a venue known for its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant atmosphere. With 6 lanes, a buzzing arcade area, an exciting trampoline arena, and teacup ride, the center provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with high-energy action and camaraderie.

This competition featured teams from 5 universities, each bringing their A-game to the lanes. The lineup included maiden champions University of Ghana, along with strong contenders from UPSA, UniMAC (GIJ), Accra Institute of Technology and Ghana Communication Technology University, Each team, composed of 3 bowlers showcased a mix of skills despite being first time bowlers.
Each school completed a scheduled training session ahead of the competition.

Round 1: Preliminary Stage

The first round kicked off with a round-robin format, allowing all teams to compete against each other. The atmosphere was electric as each bowler took their turn, aiming for strikes and spares. The best two bowlers from each school progressed to the next level. Early standouts included Precious of UPSA, star bowler, Resh Lord, of GCTU who delivered an impressive series of strikes, and Shehu of AIT.

Round 2: The Knockout Stage

The penultimate stage saw the competition heat up as the top ten bowlers were seeded into four groups for the selection to the Grand Finale. Matches were intense, with every frame carrying the weight of victory or elimination. University of Ghana, true to form, displayed remarkable consistency and saw two team members, securing their spot in the finals.

The Grand Finale

The final match between University of Ghana, Ghana Communication Technology University and UPSA was nothing short of thrilling. Spectators were on the edge of their seats as the lead swung back and forth. GCTU’s Resh Lord wowed the crowd with a perfect game, but Sampson of UG’s effort, punctuated by clutch strikes, ultimately crowing University of Ghana as the maiden champion of the Bliss Inter-University Bowling Competition.

Reflections and Awards

Following the intense competition, a heartfelt closing ceremony honored the participating schools a certificate of participation alongside Bliss Family Entertainment souvenirs for all bowlers. The Championship Trophy went to University of Ghana alongside a 3000ghc Playtime Voucher at Bliss Family Entertainment.
MVP award was won by Resh Lord of GCTU who led his team to the runner up position and earned 1,000ghc and 1500ghc playtime voucher respectively.

Looking Ahead

The Bliss Inter-University Bowling Competition not only highlighted the remarkable talent within our universities but also fostered a sense of community and friendly rivalry and exposed the students to the amazing game of bowling. Plans for next year’s event are already underway, with talks of expanding the competition to include more universities and additional categories.
We look forward to partnering with various companies by way of sponsorships.

In conclusion, this year’s competition was a testament to the passion and dedication of student athletes. As the pins reset for the next round of practice, one thing is clear: the future of university bowling is brighter than ever.

Want to compete 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 onlooker, the Bliss Inter-University Bowling Competition offers a thrilling glimpse into the world of collegiate sports. We can’t wait to see what next year holds.