Balut

Convenor: Vashi Sajnani | Article by: Anwar Gaffoor

In April, the Balut Section held an afternoon session on 16 April with the following results: • Champion: Rolv Stokkmo with 653 points • Runner Up: Roland Pereira with 644 points Taking honour for the lowest score was none other than our illustrious Convenor Vashi Sajnani with 461 points. Congratulations to Rolv and Roland with their impressive scores. For May, we had a weekday Section night on 10 May and it was the first time after a long while when food could be served before the game. We had a very good three-course sit-down dinner prior to the games and kudos to Section Committee Member Soma Devi for arranging the selection of soup, main and dessert; her selections were spot on. Results for May are as follows: • Champion: A N Balagopal with a very impressive 686 points • Runner Up: Geoff Mullet with 643 points Lowest score for May went to Mageswari (Mahes) Velupillai with 444 points Well done to Bala, as achieving 686 points over six rounds is no mean feat indeed! And felicitations to Geoff as well.

Members may recollect that Mahes was the joint champion in February with Else and now she is the lowest for May. This is the surprise and fun of Balut where you can be champion one month and lowest the next.

In case non-Baluteers are wondering why we mention lowest scorer, it is not to embarrass them but only because Balut is one game where the lowest scorer is also recognized and given a “booby” prize which is actually not bad item to receive – a miniature whisky bottle. Meanwhile the champion receives a full whisky bottle and the runner up a bottle of wine. For games in July to September, we are considering alternative venues at the Club since the window replacement renovations for Padang Restaurant and Gilmour Room will commence in June over three months. Members will be notified when arrangements have been finalized.

The Section Committee is intending to have the games alternate between a weeknight one month and a Saturday afternoon the next month.

From left: Balut April winner Rolv (left); Balut May winner Bala.

After two years, this much awaited Interclub Tournament was revived with SRC hosting the first game on 25 May at their premises. A total of six clubs including newcomers Khalsa Association participated with 17 teams or 68 players in all. Khalsa may be new in name but their Baluteers are from Indian Association which has pulled out of this competition. What a splendid start for SCC as three out of our four teams took the top three positions: • Champions: Team 3 with Huned, Fahmida, Manoo and Tony scoring 2,414 points • Second place: Team 2 with Raj, Anwar, Rolv and Else scoring 2,347 points • Third place: Team 1 with Vashi, Yasmin, Foo Yong and Jasmine scoring 2,344 points Convenor Vashi also bagged honours for the highest total score of 657 points followed by Manoo with 655 points. Tony trailed with 637 followed by Anwar with 607 points and Rosemary with 596 points. We can’t ask for a better start than this and we hope this lead and momentum will continue in the rounds to come.

Due to overwhelming response for participation in this Tournament, our Captain has decided the four lowest scorers in the first round will have to sit it out for the second game and those on the reserve list will take their place. This will be done for each game on a revolving basis and amended by the Captain as and when the situation calls for it.

We received an invitation from The Sarawak Club in Kuching to participate in the 6th Invitational Inter-Club Balut Competition 2022 on 22 - 23 July at their Clubhouse. Members who have been to this annual invite which was last held in 2019 will remember it is a very enjoyable gathering of Clubs from Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore. At the time of this report, the Section Committee is working out relevant tour and cost details before calling for Members to participate.