DTU Times interviewed Anant Sharma, 4th year, Computer Engineering who won a Bronze Medal at the Asian Championship for Lawn Bowls held in Xinxiang, China.

Complete details can be found at DTU Times | The Official Newsletter of Delhi Technological University

Who introduced you to lawn bowls and what got you hooked to this game?

I did my schooling from DPS RK Puram, which had 2 Lawn Bowl greens in the sports complex. This amazing journey started when our coach, PE Teacher at DPS RKP and Commonwealth Medalist introduced us to this game during 8th grade. To the normal eye, this game might not seem as engaging as other sports, but the amount of concentration and strategizing required in Lawn Bowls makes it one of a kind.

What future does this game have in India according to you?

The Bowling Federation of India is in talks with the Olympics Association to get this game included in the upcoming Olympics. Lawn Bowl is already present in the Commonwealth Games and has brought India numerous medals. Each year, players from more than 14 states participate in National Games as well as a separate National Lawn Bowls Championship. The game is gaining popularity in India and participation is increasing every year. Steps to improve the infrastructure for the game are being taken in the country.

What is your next stop and how are you preparing for it?

Winning the Bronze Medal for India in the Asian Championship feels great. Our next target will be the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. In the meantime, we also hope to represent Delhi in the coming National Games (Goa ‘19). As far as practice is concerned, we are day scholars and so we have to utilise our time wisely. The final year has been kind, we’ve been lucky to get this extra time to participate in the Asian Championship without losing much of the studies.

What are some of the biggest hurdles you faced while preparing for this championship and how did you tackle them?

Managing the university and practice simultaneously was tough. We used to come to college, attend some labs and lectures and then go straight for a three-hour practice session. And then there were mid-semester examinations to add pressure. But all the hard work was worth it when the Indian Flag was raised during the medal ceremony.

Nowadays many students get lost in academics and ignore their talent. So how important do you think it is for oneself to recognize their true calling?

Academics are very important without a doubt. However, one should always try not to completely eclipse the extra-curriculars and ignore one’s talent. If a person tries to manage his time well and pursue his/her talent along with academics, it will always act as the icing on the cake.

What is your message for other students who are sports enthusiasts?

A close match even if lost, can teach a person what he may not learn in the entire course of ethics in a semester, if played with the right spirit. One should not neglect sports just because we may not need it in our professional lives. Sportsmanship is never lost, be it on the field or a conference room.