DBNA Bowling Challenge grows beyond social game

KUCHING: More than just a contest of pinfalls, DBNA’s annual bowling event has become a platform for members from different branches to meet, mingle and strengthen ties.

The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Interbranch Bowling 2026 Piala YB John Ilus brought together 33 teams from 24 branches.

Organising chairman Bronnie Marshall, who is also DBNA vice-president, said the event had come a long way since its beginnings as a social game between the branches.

“What started as a social game between the branches has become more and more competitive,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony at Awah Cafe, DBNA headquarters on Saturday (Oct 3).

Bronnie said the growing competitiveness could be seen in how participants now approached the competition, including having their own team jerseys and striving for higher pinfalls.

He said the event had nevertheless retained its social element by bringing members from different branches together after the competition.

“After the prize-giving, it is the time where all the branches start to mingle around, sit together and get together,” he said.

Bronnie said the bowling event also provided an opportunity for ordinary members to participate and interact, unlike the DBNA Triennial General Assembly, which was mainly attended by branch office-bearers.

“During TGA, most of it is only attended by the top office-bearers of the branches.

“While this game, whether you are an exco or you are only an ordinary member, you can join. This is the platform for most of them to get to know each other and get together,” he said.

Bronnie also thanked Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, who was present at the prize-giving ceremony, for his continued support, saying he had provided financial support to help DBNA organise the event.

“YB John Ilus has been very supportive and generous towards this event,” he said.

The competition also featured individual prizes for high-game and high-achiever performances.

In the men’s team category, Teng Bukap Team recorded the highest total with 2,177 pinfalls, followed by KUB with 2,001 and DBNA Bau 1 with 1,772.

DBNA Bau B finished with 1,751, while Serapi Men Team B recorded 1,510.

In the women’s team category, KUB led with 1,268 pinfalls, followed by Serian Branch Bowling Team with 1,241 and DBNA Serapi with 1,218.

Penrissen Branch finished with 1,126, while DBNA Bau Gojes recorded 1,014.

Female bowlers pose with Ik Pahon (third left), John Ilus (centre) and Bronnie (third right).

In the individual standings, Allexiss led the men’s category with 621 total pins, followed by Baxter with 597, Cornelius with 555, William with 529 and Mijus with 517.

In the women’s category, Lily topped the standings with 467, followed by Elizabeth with 383, Magdalene with 350, Mariani with 327 and Veronica with 325.

Also present was DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.