(Elsie Marcial, EBF, Dubai – 18.02.2019)
The UAE team stamped its mark in Arab bowling with a Silver medal finish in the Men’s Singles Event, the first event of the Arab Bowling Championship 2019 currently taking place in Cairo, Egypt from 14 to 23rd February 2019. Sayed Ibrahim Al Hashemi, who took a break from bowling for several years showed he is still one to contend with for medal honours by clinching the silver medal by a mere 8 points behind the gold medalist from Egypt, the host country.
Six UAE national bowlers compose the men’s team competing in the 9th Arab Bowling Championship, namely: Sayed Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Hussain Al Suwaidi, Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Ahmed Al Mahri, Mohamed Darwish and Hamad Al Khyeli. Hamad is a member of the UAE Youth Bowling Team that will represent the country in the 2019 World Junior Championship in France on 16-24 March 2019.
The women’s team competing in the 5th Arab Women’s Bowling Championship which is being conducted at the same time with the men’s division are Hind Al Hammadi, Rahma Mubarak Al Sharqi, Sarah Al Mulla, and Zainab Al Hammadi.
Both teams are under the care and mentorship of the UAE National Bowling Head Coach Mika Koivuniemi and Assistant Coach Ahmad Atij Al Marri.
All bowlers will compete for medals in the Singles, Doubles, Trios (men only), Team, All Events, and Masters Event during the 10-day championship.
Participating countries include Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.