Braving missiles & miles - Bowling trio’s long journey to Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In times of war, when uncertainty clouds everyday life, sport can offer a rare refuge — a place of comfort for some and a brief escape from harsh realities for others. For three tenpin bowlers based in the Middle East, however, the sport was something more: a constant they refused to let go of.Cancelled flights, travel chaos and rising tensions in the region did little to deter them. Instead, the trio endured a week-long ordeal before reaching Bengaluru — a day before the National tenpin bowling championships.For siblings Ezaz Kasmani and Shabeen Kasmani, who are based in Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, the journey began with confusion and panic at the airport. The duo had travelled to neighbouring Bahrain to catch a direct flight to Bengaluru, only to find themselves stranded.

“We were at the airport when the first missile hit. We saw a live missile going towards the US Air Base and were shocked,” recalled Ezaz, who is representing Maharashtra in the competition. “Our flight was the first to get cancelled. People were running in and out of the airport, and so were we. But then we decided to sit and wait. We waited for almost six hours.”Even as others advised them to abandon their plans and return home, the siblings were determined.

What followed was a frantic search for alternatives, cancelled bookings and a gruelling road journey.With options running out, the pair eventually drove nearly 600 km to Riyadh after securing a flight to Lucknow. From there, they made their way to Bengaluru — completing a journey that had seemed almost impossible just days earlier.“We were not thinking about the war at that moment. The only thing on our mind was the Nationals and somehow finding a way to reach Bengaluru,” Ezaz said.For Manohar Hedge, a 56-year-old bowler based in Dubai, the situation was equally uncertain. Having qualified for the tournament through the overseas trials held in Dubai, he was unsure if travel would even be possible as the conflict escalated.“My family was worried because the war had started and I was leaving,” said Hedge, who hails from Mangaluru. “But they supported me. They knew how much I love bowling, and that was the only thing on my mind — to reach Bengaluru.”After several late-night searches, Hedge managed to secure a last-minute ticket — though at more than double the usual price. Even then, the journey was far from smooth. Restrictions and delays forced him to travel light, carrying only three of his bowling balls instead of the usual six, and he also missed valuable practice time before the competition.Yet for all three players, the exhausting journey and uncertainty were worth it.“It’s not just about bowling,” said 38-year-old Ezaz. “We can play anywhere in the world. But coming to the Nationals and representing our state means a lot. The federation and the players here are like family.”That sense of belonging — and the pride of wearing their state colours — was reason enough to brave the chaos. Even though they remain unsure about how they will return home after the tournament, their focus for now remains firmly on the lanes.“Right now,” they said in unison, “it’s only about bowling.”