From green keeper to Protea bowler
Discovery's Morgan share his Commowealth Games experience
“In my mind, I never thought I would ever play this game, as I thought it was only for old people,” said 39-year-old Morgan Muvhango.
He has been a green-keeper since 2004 and said, “I used to work at the old Florida bowling club, and, was very surprised when I saw a tournament where a lot of youngsters played. I enquired about this, and my employer, Theuns Fraser, said that bowling was not only for old people, but for everyone, and that I should try it too.”
Morgan added that it was not long after that tournament, that Theuns approached him one Saturday afternoon, and asked him to join their social team, as they were one short. “I told him that I did not even know how to play, but he assured me that they would show me. After that game, I was hooked, and I started to practise on my own,” said Morgan.
As Morgan’s game improved, the club members started entering him into various club competitions, and he even managed to win the Novice tournament that year.
In 2005, he moved to the Discovery Bowling Club, after the Florida club closed down, where he still tends the greens. “I receive a lot of support here, and I am pushed to play, as they have noticed my potential. I have participated in a lot of tournaments, and in my second year at Discovery, I managed to reach the District final,” Morgan said proudly.
In 2014, Morgan competed in the National Championships which were held in Cape Town, and won the National Singles. “That is where the national selectors saw that I played a good game, and I became a Protea player. And, even though I played in quite a few big tournaments and did very well, I wanted more. I decided that I want to compete at the Commonwealth Games that year, but I was suspended and was not allowed to compete. I decided that 2018 was around the corner, and, if I started working hard now, I would be there,” he said.
His dream came true when he received the call informing him he would be part of the team to compete at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.
“I was so happy, as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are a lot of good bowlers in South Africa, and to be selected for the Proteas’ team is a great achievement,” said Morgan.
He added that, even though their team did not do that well at the games, he enjoyed it very much and it was a great experience. “I had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends. I would love to go again in 2022, but before that can happen, I will have to work very hard to convince the selectors that I am good enough,” he concluded.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
