Through the 1980s and 1990s, Raj Bengani’s singular efforts from his base at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (India’s oldest bowling club), enabled the sport to survive in India from its colonial origins dating back to the 19th century. Raj was Secretary-General of the Bowling Federation of India at a pivotal time for the development of bowls and expanded the sport into new states in India.  

BFI was formed in 1985 and joined the International Bowling Board in 1990. Raj got recognition of bowls by the National Olympic Committee in India which resulted in the sport being included in the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.  

Raj led the team to Auckland where they played in the Men’s Singles, Pairs and Fours, and the Women’s Singles, and Raj played in the Men’s Fours team. Across the championships they came very close to ‘upsetting the apple cart’ of some of the favourites but found the fast New Zealand greens very different.  

Inspired by that experience, Raj then played a major role for getting the sport included in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Right from that beginning the potential for bowls in India was clear.  

Raj worked tirelessly for the sport in India and formed a close and brotherly relationship with Raja Randhir Singh who was the Secretary General of the Indian National Olympic Committee and an executive member of the IOC. Raj was also a member of the Indian National Olympic Committee. 

It was a tragedy that Raj passed away in August 2009 and didn’t live to see the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the growth and success of the game since then. His efforts for our sport have never received the recognition that they deserved.  

India is now a major force in the sport of bowls, having secured their first gold medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Leamington Spa, through the Women’s Four of Lovely Choubey, Pinki Singh, Nayanmoni Sakia, and Rupa Rani Tirkey. India has also won medals at Asia Bowls championships and at the 2025 World Cup.  

Raj’s son Ravi has continued his legacy as a president of the Bowling Federation of India.