Zayed Sports City, a premier sports and entertainment venue in the UAE, has affirmed its position as a global sporting destination by hosting this year’s World Bowling Championship, after having first hosted the event in the capital 15 years ago.

Zayed Sports City’s Khalifa International Bowling Centre was custom built for the competition in 1999, and it is the only venue to have hosted the World Bowling Championship twice, said a statement.

Abu Dhabi’s second successful bid to host tenpin bowling’s competition at the venue is testament to the UAE’s emergence as the region’s bowling capital.

With the popularity of the sport growing in the UAE, 273 competitors from 39 countries travelled to Abu Dhabi to take part, with a team of six participants coming from the Emirates.
 
Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “It is a great honour for Abu Dhabi to host this global sporting event in our world-class bowling facility at Zayed Sports City.

“Bowling is fast becoming one of the most enjoyed sports in the UAE, and one which the whole family can take part in. At this year’s event, we were treated to a wonderful spectacle of intense competition and thrilling excitement for all to enjoy at our ultimate bowling destination.”
 
Meanwhile, Emirati Shaker Ali Al Hassan won a silver medal in the singles division.
 
In addition to the excitement the event brought to the capital, the economy has also received a boost, said the statement.

More than 3,000 rooms were booked at the event hotels while the competition took place.  

Mohammed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, president of Emirates Bowling Federation and winner of the 1988 World Bowling Tour, said: “Khalifa International Bowling Centre at Zayed Sports City has been the focal point of UAE bowling for over 15 years.

“It has been the location where we have nurtured the best young talent and developed local competitors into world champions. International athletes taking part in this year’s competition have all acknowledged the facilities here to be on a par with any other bowling centres globally.”
 
The competition, which was organised by World Bowling, supported by Emirates Bowling Federation and Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, included categories for singles, doubles, trios and a team event.

The master’s competition, which featured the top 24 bowlers in the tournament competing to be crowned the overall champion, was won by Korea’s Kang Heewon. - TradeArabia News Service