FORMER world lawn bowls number three Ratish Lal will be making a comeback during the National Triples Championship which starts at the Suva Bowling Club today.
The taxi proprietor will team up with Suva's Babu Khan and Nadi's Shorab Khan.
Lal last won the title in 2010. He has been away from bowls for a couple of months. Lal said he had his first practice session for the tournament on Wednesday.
"I have been committed with my personal business and haven't had time to play bowls recently," Lal said.
"For this tournament I will be teaming with Babu and Shorab both of whom are experienced players."
Lal dropped out of the world rankings in 2011 after failing to be considered for international tournaments.
National rep Samuela Tui will partner with Martin Fong and David Aitcheson. Fiji Bowling Association secretary Abdul Kalim will play with Som Padiyachi and Abinash Chand.
Kalim said Lal's team would go into the two-day event as the top seed.
He said the National Triples Championship was the first event on their 2013 calendar.
"Lal's team is tipped to win the tournament," Kalim said.
"The side has a wealth of experience with all players have represented the country before. There will be stiff competition and upsets are bound to happen."
The tournament will be played in the memory of the late Muni Chand who was an avid bowler. Chand was famous in the bowling circles and was Fiji's first international lawn bowls umpire. He passed away last year.