Tuesday, Jul 14, 2015
Abu Dhabi: Emirati Hassan Al Suwaidi won the biggest ever Zayed Sports City Ramadan Bowling Tournament, prevailing over more than 160 participants on Monday evening.
Al Suwaidi kept his focus against a tough line-up in the 15-year-old competition presented by the National Drilling Company (NDC), claiming the title with a score of 3,395. Fellow national team bowler Mahmoud Al Attar finished runner-up with a score of 3,245 and Naif Oqab took third on 3,224. They were playing for a cash pot of Dh49,000 in an event that attracted both UAE and expatriate bowlers.
Mubarak Al Harthi, Zayed Sports City Director of Government Relations and Sales, said: “We are very proud to support the country’s bowling legacy and to see such high participation in this year’s tournament. The competition was very strong and the winners worked hard to earn their titles.
“Congratulations to them on their well-deserved victories, to the staff and volunteers who administered the tournament, and to the National Drilling Company for their generous support.”
Organisers believe the event’s popularity owes much to the fact that Zayed Sports City hosted the Men’s World Bowling Championships last year and will be the venue for the women’s event between December 5 and 14 this year.
Out of the 166 entrants, 72 per cent were UAE nationals, many of whom hope to take part in the global showpiece.
British student Samantha Hannan led the way for the women and also took top honours in the youth division.
Hannan now turns her attention to the World Bowling Championship, where she is set to bowl for the British national team.
The Graded Division of the tournament for amateur bowlers with averages of 185 or below saw Filipino talent Shean Aguas take the honours after bowling a stunning 222.0 average throughout the final.
Rounding off the tournament, the disabled division, which had a record number of entries with a total of 42, saw Tariq Shahab from Dubai Disabled Club A-team bowl the winning score to take the men’s singles title.
The ladies’ singles event was dominated by Dubai Disabled Club, with Sakena Aziz taking first place with a score of 341.
On Sunday, Environmental Authority beat Directorate of Traffic 4-3 in the final of ZSC’s Ramadan Football Tournament to claim the first prize of Dh15,000.
By Euan Reedie Chief Sports Writer,?Abu Dhabi
Gulf News 2015. All rights reserved.
