The 96th Pineapple Cup, one of Fiji’s most esteemed bowling events, wrapped up yesterday at the Fiji Bowling Club in Suva. Among the participants was the defending champion Ofa Allen Jr., who aimed to reclaim the men’s singles title he secured last year.
Having played bowls for three years, Allen Jr. took the sport seriously after the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted, “I got into the game through Business House Bowls. I started enjoying it and decided to get competitive.” His aspirations extend beyond local tournaments, as he hopes to represent Fiji on the international stage in the future.
Winning last year’s Pineapple Cup stands as Allen Jr.’s most significant achievement. He continued to build on that success by clinching another singles title in the West, establishing himself as a key player in Fiji’s bowling scene. However, he acknowledged the challenge of maintaining his winning streak, stating, “I’ve still got a lot of work left. There are two or three games left for today.”
Allen Jr. emphasized that bowls embrace both mental and physical elements. Drawing from his background as a golfer, he underscored the importance of mental readiness. “It’s really all about confidence and mental strength; I learned to believe in myself and stay confident,” he remarked.
Looking forward, Allen Jr. aspires to be one of Fiji’s exceptional bowlers and to compete on an international level. He encouraged younger players with the advice, “Don’t give up. Enjoy the game, go hard, and keep moving forward.”