The 96th Pineapple Cup, a renowned bowling tournament in Fiji, wrapped up yesterday at the Fiji Bowling Club in Suva. Defending champion Ofa Allen Jr participated with the intention of retaining his men’s singles title from last year.
Allen Jr, who has been playing bowls for three years, started taking the sport more seriously after the COVID-19 pandemic changed his perspective. He shared, “I got into the game through Business House Bowls. I started enjoying it and decided to get competitive.” His aspirations extend beyond local competitions; Allen Jr dreams of representing Fiji internationally.
His victory at last year’s Pineapple Cup stands as his most significant accomplishment. Following that triumph, he secured another singles title in the West, solidifying his status as a strong contender in the Fijian bowling scene. Now, he faces the fresh challenge of maintaining his leading position.
“I’ve still got a lot of work left. There are two or three games left for today,” he remarked, emphasizing the ongoing nature of competition. Allen Jr considers bowls not just a physical endeavor but a mental one as well, and his background as a former golfer has enhanced his mental preparation.
“It’s really all about confidence and mental strength. I learned to believe in myself and stay confident,” he stated. Looking to the future, Allen Jr aims to become one of the premier bowlers in Fiji and is eager to compete on the international stage.
He advises younger players to “Don’t give up. Enjoy the game, go hard, and keep moving forward.”