From individual titles to team podiums, the ITLians Bowling Club is enjoying a strong run of results — and showing that the real value of sport lies in the connections it creates.
Over the past few months, the ITLians Bowling Club has given colleagues at Intercontinental Trust Limited (ITL) plenty of reasons to celebrate. From individual titles to impressive team performances, ITLians have been making their mark on the bowling lanes.
Behind the scores and trophies, however, is a story that goes beyond competition — one of colleagues coming together, discovering new talents, supporting one another and building team spirit outside the workplace.
A team built on commitment
The ITLians Bowling Club has been bringing colleagues together for years, with a core group of dedicated players helping to build its competitive spirit and sense of camaraderie.
The team is led by Kong Lau, Senior Manager and captain since 2017, whose leadership has helped shape the club over the years. Alongside Kong, the initial roster has included James Lai and Ashive Kanoosingh, both team members since 2017; Mayur Ramdhul, who joined in 2019 and left the company in 2024; Francesse Teycheney, a team member since 2020; and Ishika Bokhory, who joined in 2022. Since then, others have joined, bringing the team to 17 members, comprising both current ITL employees and alumni.
Their continued involvement reflects the commitment behind the club — and the way a shared sporting interest can develop into a lasting community among colleagues.
A season of strong performances
The club’s recent run of success began in May, when Ishika Bukory was crowned Champion of the DMS Single League Ladies – Silver Category. Competing over two days at Strike City, she maintained her focus through to the final frame to secure first place.
June brought further success at the Citizen Sports Challenge Cup 2026, organised by the Mauritius Bowling Federation. Avneesh Gookool, who has been with the group since 2025, claimed first place in the Silver Men category and won the Challenge Cup, while also recording the tournament’s highest-scoring game with an impressive 209 pins.
The same tournament brought two further podium finishes for the club: Dilasha Sawmy took second place in the Silver Ladies category, while Darren Chetty, secured third. Three podium finishes in one tournament made it a memorable occasion for the ITLians.
The momentum continued into July, when Dilasha claimed first place in the Ladies Single Silver Bowling Tournament, recording the highest score among the ladies. On the same day, Darren finished runner-up in the Men’s Singles Silver Bowling Tournament.
Just a few weeks later, Dilasha returned to the podium, finishing second overall in the handicap category at the Bagatelle Ladies Tournament. Ishika also took part, continuing to gain valuable experience and develop her skills on the lanes.
The club’s strength as a team was particularly evident in August, at the Duo Mix Tournament organised by The Bowling Stones Bowling Club at Strike City Bagatelle on 17–18 August, which brought together 32 clubs from the Mauritius Bowling Federation.
ITL was represented by three duos:
- Kong Lau and Daren Chetty
- Ashive Kanoosingh and Dinesh Sunnoo
- Avneesh Gookool and Hemnish Joyekurrun
After six games of focus, precision and determination, all three pairs finished among the leading teams. Ashive, together with Dinesh — who has been a Team member since 2024 and has actively participated in ITL’s external and internal team-building initiatives — secured second place overall, while Kong and Darren finished third. Finally, Avneesh and Hemnish, a club member with the ITLians Bowling Club since 2017 as well, took fifth place.
Three duos, three strong results: a performance that reflects the consistency and commitment of the ITLians Bowling Club.
Last September, Kong Lau was part of the Mauritius National Bowling Team delegation that travelled to Egypt for a six-day programme hosted by the Egyptian Bowling Academy. The visit included intensive training sessions and friendly competitions with Egyptian players, fostering skills development, knowledge exchange and sporting ties between the two countries.
On the 1st October 2026, Ashive Kanoosingh and Thavish Ramjug participated in the ACE Venture Elite Single Tournament going head-to-head with all the other Clubs under the Aegis of the MBF. After 6 intensive games, Ashive secured the first place with a whopping 1,134 points going head-to-head with the Super Elites and outscoring them to claim the title in the Elite Division including second highest game of the night at 234 points. Thavish secured the 3rdplace on the podium with a massive 990 points showcasing the force on the lanes for ITL.
On 26 October, the ITLians participated in the Trio Mix Elite Tournament, organised by the Mauritius Bowling Federation. Three mixed-club teams featuring ITLians competed over six games, delivering another series of strong performances.
Ashive Kanoosingh and Thavish Ramjug teamed up with Nishi from Bowling Mates Club to claim first place in the Elite Trio Tournament. Ashive also recorded an individual high game of 189 pins.
Avneesh Gookool and Dilasha Sawmy secured third place after a closely contested final game. Meanwhile, Kong Lau, paired with Parveez from Crazy Bowling Team and Shezaad from Bowling Mates Club, finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium.
The following day, on 27 October, the club returned to the lanes for the Duo Mix – Super Elite and Silver Men Tournament, once again organised by the Mauritius Bowling Federation.
Daren Chetty partnered with Nawfal from Sky Air Bowling Team to claim the tournament title after six competitive games. Their victory highlighted the importance of teamwork and consistency, even when competing alongside players from different clubs.
Rahul, representing ITLians alongside Nizam from Crazy Bowling Team, recorded an impressive high game of 184 pins, with the pair finishing fourth overall. Hemnish Joyekurrun, teamed up with Faroodeen from Crazy Bowling Team, completed the tournament in fifth place.
These latest performances brought October to a successful close for the ITLians Bowling Club, with two additional tournament victories, further podium finishes and strong results across different competition formats.
Celebrating talent and inclusion
The club’s recent achievements also highlight the contribution of its women bowlers. From Ishika’s singles title in May to Dilasha’s successive podium finishes over the summer, women players have made a significant contribution to the club’s results this season — proof that the lanes offer every colleague a platform to develop their skills, compete and challenge themselves.
The club’s mix of players, experience levels and backgrounds also reflects the inclusive nature of workplace sport. Whether stepping onto the lanes as an experienced competitor or discovering the sport for the first time, colleagues have the opportunity to participate, improve and contribute to the team.
That sense of participation matters. A sporting club creates connections that extend beyond day-to-day roles and departments, giving colleagues a shared interest and a different space in which to get to know one another.
More than strikes and spares
While the trophies deserve recognition, the value of the ITLians Bowling Club extends well beyond the final score.
Bowling gives colleagues the chance to connect in a different setting, particularly those who may not work closely together day to day. Training sessions and competitions create space for encouragement, friendly rivalry and shared experience.
The sport also offers a chance to learn from one another: a newer player benefits from the experience of a more seasoned bowler, while every member has room to improve through practice, feedback and competition.
Not every game ends with a medal, and that’s part of the journey — there are lessons in missed opportunities, difficult frames and close finishes. What matters is learning, adjusting, and returning to the lanes with renewed determination.
In many ways, bowling calls for qualities that are equally valuable at ITL: focus, consistency, commitment and a willingness to keep improving. It also encourages trust, communication and mutual support — qualities that help strengthen relationships among colleagues.
A team effort
A trophy may ultimately belong to one player or one pair, but behind every achievement is a wider network of teammates, supporters and friends — those who practise together, encourage one another during competition, and celebrate every milestone. There are also those discovering bowling for the first time, finding a new interest and a sense of belonging through the club.
That shared experience is what makes the ITLians Bowling Club special: a platform for talent, and an opportunity for connection, personal growth and collective achievement.
As the bowling season continues, the ITLians have plenty to look forward to — more strikes, more spares, and more memorable moments ahead.
For now, the club’s recent achievements are a reminder that success is even more meaningful when it’s shared.
Here’s to many more games, new talents and memorable moments for the ITLians Bowling Club!
