New Delhi: India’s lawn bowls stars are descending on the greens of Delhi Public School this week for the 17th Asian Lawn Bowls Championship, a high-stakes tournament that doubles as a crucial pathway to the 2027 World Championships.
Running from April 5 to April 11, the event is a vibrant celebration of the sport, featuring the simultaneous 15th Under-25 Asian Lawn Bowls Championship to highlight the next generation of international talent.
The opening ceremonies were marked by distinguished guests, including Sunaina Kumari, Deputy President of the Asian Lawn Bowls Federation, and Shri Anang Udaya Singh Deo, President of the Odisha State Lawn Balls Association.
Shri Singh Deo took a moment to offer special praise for Rajeswari Seth, a rising talent from Balangir, Odisha, whose participation underscores the growing reach of the sport across the country.
Rajeswari’s journey is a remarkable story of rapid ascent and grit. The daughter of a tailor from Balangir, she took up the sport only in 2023 and has already become a mainstay in the national circuit.
Her impressive resume includes a silver medal at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand and multiple bronze medals at the 37th National Games in Goa and the Senior National Championships.
Shri Singh Deo highlighted her as a symbol of Odisha’s growing prominence in the sport, noting that her dedication—often training up to 10 hours a day—serves as an inspiration for youth across the state.
India currently stands as a powerhouse in the region, having already secured qualification for three out of four disciplines in both the men’s and women’s categories based on their stellar 2023 World Championship performances.
This puts them on par with giants like Malaysia and Hong Kong China. However, the mission in New Delhi is clear: complete the set. The Indian squad is laser-focused on the men’s fours and women’s singles, the final two disciplines needed to ensure a full contingent for the 2027 world stage.
With only three additional qualification slots available per discipline for Asian nations, the pressure is on. If India can secure a top-three finish in their targeted events, they will cement their status as one of the most dominant forces in global lawn bowls.
The home-turf advantage and the presence of veteran leadership combined with fresh energy from the Under-25 ranks suggest a bright and successful week ahead for the Indian team.