The 2026 APU Annual Bowling Tournament 1.0 brought together 64 staff members for a day of friendly competition and team spirit at Ampang Superbowl, Summit USJ; where newcomer Mr Mohamad Imaduddin Zainal Abidin from SoGHT stole the spotlight by defeating APU’s long-standing Bowling King to claim the Best Male title, while Bowling Queen Ms Fatin Hazwani Hassan from Postgraduate Academic Administration successfully defended her crown with the highest individual score.

Image

The atmosphere at Ampang Superbowl, Summit USJ, was thrilling on 16 July 2026, as 64 staff members from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) gathered to enjoy a fantastic, high-spirited time together on the lanes.

The occasion was the APU Annual Bowling Tournament 1.0, an afternoon packed with friendly competition, roaring cheers, and a powerful display of university team spirit..

Divided into 16 creatively named teams, colleagues from various schools and departments battled it out on the lanes, using the opportunity to strengthen workplace friendships and foster closer connections outside the traditional office setting.

The race for the team championship was fiercely contested, coming down to a mere handful of pins. When the final scores were tallied, FFSA emerged as the tournament champions, lifting the trophy with an impressive cumulative score of 1,022 pins.

They were pushed to the absolute limit by the SoMaadians, who secured the 1st runner-up position with a formidable 1,006 total pins. The Alleycats rounded out the podium, delivering a strong performance to 2nd runner-up with 839 total pins.

The individual categories delivered the afternoon’s biggest plot twists. In the Men’s and Women’s divisions, a newly introduced tournament rule added a layer of high-stakes drama: professional-level bowlers were given a 30-pin handicap to ensure a level playing field for all participants

Seizing the moment, newcomer Mr Mohamad Imaduddin Zainal Abidin from the School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) stunned everyone..

In a remarkable debut performance, he defeated APU’s long-standing Bowling King, Mr Saifullizan Abdul Wahab, Senior Lecturer School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) (second place), to capture the coveted Best Male title.

The newcomers continued to make waves as Mr Marcus Lim Hon Kin from the School of Computing (SoC) bowled his way into third place, while APU’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, rounded off the top four..

While the men’s division saw a changing of the guard, the women’s division was a masterclass in title defense.

APU’s reigning Bowling Queen, Ms Fatin Hazwani Hassan, an Administrative Executive from Postgraduate Academic Administration, successfully defended her crown.

She dominated the lanes to record the highest overall individual score of the entire game, finishing with an outstanding 446 total pins.

The chase for the remaining podium spots turned into a friendly departmental rivalry within SoMAD. Ts Stefanie Quah Li Jin finished as the runner-up after narrowly finishing ahead of her own Head of SoMAD, Ms Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan, who claimed third place.

Building Community Beyond the Workspace

Reflecting on the event’s success, Professor Ir EUR ING Dr Vinesh highlighted the broader impact of such initiatives on the university’s culture. 

“These occasions allowed our staff to connect, recharge and build meaningful relationships across disciplines,” he said. 

“A positive and connected community is essential for innovation and excellence. Seeing our colleagues come together with such enthusiasm truly embodied the spirit of APU.”

The smooth execution of the tournament was credited to the meticulous planning of Mr Ahmad Mohammad, Assistant Manager of Sports Development & Student Affairs.

The day was marked by both sporting spirit and plenty of laughter, with creative team names adding a fun and memorable touch to the competition.

Teams such as The Miss Fits, Just Met, SPAM, Team SE, Just Jalan, Strikes, Cuci Longkang, Pin Pals, TVK, Team 14, Late Night Maintenance, Just Nice, and Smashers kept the energy high, filling the venue with applause and unforgettable moments.

Ultimately, the event proved that when colleagues step away from their desks, healthy competition and camaraderie create the perfect recipe for community success.

For those looking to replicate the thrill or seek redemption on the lanes, the wait will not be long. 

Representing APU’s Management, Professor Vinesh officially announced that the APU Annual Bowling Tournament 2.0 is scheduled to take place in the first week of December 2026.

All APU staff members are warmly invited to participate, smash some pins, and continue fostering teamwork, friendship, and a vibrant community across the entire University network.