Gutter ball! A bowler lets one rip at Right Track Bowling Centre in Tarmwe township.

“HI, my name’s Ko Soe Aung, and I’m a video game addict.”

The 23-year-old took up network gaming in 2007 and now spends up to eight hours a day in front of the computer screen – as much as his budget can afford.

“I spend at least five hours a day playing network games but – and I know this is appalling – I often exceed seven hours. I don’t plan or really want to spend so long playing but I just don’t notice the time pass,” he says.

Ko Soe Aung says he is aware of the health problems associated with too much gaming but, like many addicts, can’t quite kick the habit.

“My first hobby was football, I started playing when I was nine years old, but I took up gaming in early 2007. And there are some benefits; it’s good for systematic thinking, concentration and imagination. But it’s bad for eyesight, your muscles get sore because you’re sitting all the time and there’s no physical exercise involved.

“It’s costly. I usually play at Canary internet shop in Kyauktada township, which charges K400 per hour and K500 when there is no electricity and they have to use the generator,” Ko Soe Aung said. “It also takes up a lot of time. How can you work or get a job when you are playing eight hours a day?”

Not everyone is as hooked as Ko Soe Aung. Ko Tint Lwin has worked at internet shop for more than six years and took up gaming after customers repeatedly asked him how to play the network games.

“Previously I used to spend a lot of time just surfing the internet, then I got into games. Even though I love playing them, I am always worried that if I play too much I will lose focus on my work and my performance will suffer. I make sure that I only play for one hour each day,” Ko Tint Lwin says. “I could never look at a computer screen for five, six, seven hours a day like some people do. You need to set yourself some sort of healthy limit.”

“That’s why I prefer to go bowling instead of playing computer games; there’s some physical exercise involved, it’s social and fun and won’t ruin my eyesight like computer games,” he adds.

While it can’t match network gaming for price, bowling is popular among people looking for a fun hobby with a physical component.

“I think bowling is the best way to unwind physically. But you also need concentration, good hand-eye coordination and body positioning to hit the target.” said one 34-year-old bowler. “You can play in teams with family and friends, either competitively or just for fun. I also play cricket, do weightlifting and run in my spare time but I enjoy bowling the most,” he added.

There are two bowling centres in Yangon: Asia Point, in Thaketa township, and Right Track Bowling Centre, in Tarmwe township. Both charge K1000 to K1200 a game, plus shoe hire.

Entertainment centres in Yangon:
Aladdin	Bo Aung Kyaw Street, MGW Centre, Botahtaung township
Asia Point Bowling Centre	Shukhinthar Amusement Park, Thaketa township.
Game City	Bo Min Khaung Street, Zoological Garden Compound, Minglar Taung Nyunt township
Game City (Yankin Centre)	1st Floor, Sayasan Street, Yankin Centre, Yankin township
Fantasy World	Sule Pagoda Road, Mahabandoola Garden, Kyauktada township
Fantasy World	Building 1, Shed C, Thein Gyi Market, 1st Floor, Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Pabedan township
Happy World (1)	Shwedagon Pagoda South Entrance, Kantaw Mingalar Park, Dagon township
Happy World (2)	2nd Floor, Thiri Mingalar Market, Kyeemyindaing township
Magic Land	30A, Room 6, 1st Floor, Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon township
Magic Land	Mya Kyun Thar Amusement Park 6A, 7A, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone township
Right Track Bowling Centre	U Ba Kyaw St, Lay Daunk Kan Rd, Tarmwe township
Shu Khin Thar (View Point)	Yamonnar Street, Shu Khin Thar Park, Dawbon township.
Yangon Zoological Gardens	Kan Yeikthar Street, Mingalar Taung Nyunt township