After a five-decade-long career, Juergen Hasenkopf, 73, says he can continue to travel around the world for 10 more years
Abu Dhabi — Oman’s Ghalib Rashid Al Busaidi, Emirati silver medallist Shaker Al Hassan and the famed Al Qubaisi family have confirmed their participation for what is a top class field for the 15th edition of the NDC Ramadan Bowling Tournament. More than 100 participants, both local and expats of 15 different nationalities have so far signed up for the tournament being held at Khalifa International Bowling Centre, inside the Zayed Sports City facilities.
The competition is currently in its qualifying stages |
Defending champion Al Busaidi, Al Hassan, last year’s silver medallist in the World Bowling Championship at Zayed Sports City last year, and the Al Qubaisi family of father Mohamed, sons Ahmed, Sultan and Yaqoob, makes this a very competitive field.
Competition is currently in its qualifying stages and is set to heat up in the Youth and Open categories with high-finishing Ahmed and Sultan participating in each respectively. In what will be a family affair, the siblings are joined by their younger brother Yaqoob and father Mohamed Al Qubaisi, most famous for winning a gold medal in the World Bowling Masters in 1988.
With Abu Dhabi set to host the Women’s World Bowling Championship this December, the Ramadan competition is a prime opportunity for the UAE women’s team bowlers to test their skills against other top talents ahead of joining the World Championship squad.
The women’s category will see tough competition from 19-year-old perennial top scorer Samantha Hannan, who bowled an impressive 243.3 in last year’s tournament, earning her fourth place in the overall standings.
Zayed Sports City, the UAE’s premier sports and recreation venue, has lined up the country’s best bowlers for the tournament. A mix of national team members and returning champions are competing alongside the country’s most avid bowlers for a slice of the Dh140,000 cash prize at stake in the competition, which runs until July 13. “When we talk about Ramadan, one of the first things that comes to my mind is bowling. It’s a habit for me. It’s about playing with my brothers and the whole community,” Sultan, who won last year’s Youth competition, said. Sultan is competing in the Open category for the first time.
Barry Bremner, Zayed Sports City’s General Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see the strength and diversity in this year’s 15th anniversary competition. Since we launched the tournament in 2000, it has grown into the UAE’s biggest and best bowling event, thanks in part to the generous support of the National Drilling Company. With the World Bowling Championships in town later this year, the excitement of the competition is especially heightened. The Tournament is held every day from 9pm to 3am until July 13. Registration is still open for individuals at any time during the qualifying period by visiting the bowling centre or contacting bowling@zsc.ae or call 024034648 for further details.
After a five-decade-long career, Juergen Hasenkopf, 73, says he can continue to travel around the world for 10 more years
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