Pineapple Cup On for 92nd Time
The 92rd bowling singles Pineapple Cup will be delayed this year as management await green light from government and the Fiji National Sports Commission.
Suva Bowling Club secretary and manager Astral Smith yesterday said the two-day Pineapple Cup championship was first played in 1928 and was won by C. C. Clark.
“It has been played every year since with the exception for 2000 due to the coup,” Smith said.
Meanwhile the SBC, due to its closure in April 2021 because of COVID-19’s second wave, missed out on up to 14 club games, two national tournaments under Bowls Fiji and two tournaments (Banana and Pineapple Cup).
“We missed 20 games in total. We hope to reopen next month.
Go Ahead
“Once we are given the go ahead by the relevant authorities, our games committee will meet to work on fitting in some of our prestigious games into the rest of the year.
“This is no small task, as these large events take weeks to months of planning. We have sponsorship, games, prizes, etc to think about when it comes to these events.
“Currently, SBC is in preparation mode in terms of policies, hygiene, physical distancing and staffing protocols.
The club’s No jab, no entry policy will only allow fully vaccinated members/staff into the premises.
Broken Into
“Our office was broken into and the thief actually camped in for three days ransacking the place.
“Police have caught him; he thought he was smart removing the camera in my office but he was captured by the others on the premises.
“He was walking around in his
underwear, trashing the place after helping himself to the food in the kitchen.”
2020 Cup
54 bowlers played in last year’s Pineapple Cup - 40 men and 14 women. Defending champions are Curtis Mar (men) and Loretta Kotoisuva (women).
Cash prizes up to $1750 were shared among the winners including the quarterfinalists. A total of $1000 worth of merchandise was donated by Kontiki Finance Ltd and Taki Mai Kava.