17-year-old self-taught Pakistani bowler strikes it big

Saldera has become the only Pakistani to ever the maximum score of 300, tying the world record

At the age of just 17, Ahmer Abbas Saldera has been representing Pakistan across the globe as the country’s top-seeded bowling champion since 2013 and already has an international tournament named after him.

Saldera, a student of Southshore School for A Levels, is currently leading the All Pakistan Saldera Open Bowling Championship 2015, an international tournament named in his honour for winning the first international medal in bowling for Pakistan.

PHOTO: Ahmer Abbas Saldera



The 17-year-old bowling champion added another feather in his cap on Wednesday during the qualifying rounds of the Saldera Open, when he became the only Pakistani to ever score 300, the maximum score in which a player hits 12 strikes in a row. A strike is when you make all the pins fall in one go.

“You cannot exceed the 300 score and so no one can break it. So, basically I have tied the world record,” Saldera says, while speaking to The Express Tribune.

PHOTO: Ahmer Abbas Saldera

Saldera, who is self-taught and plays without a coach, has won almost all major titles in Pakistan since going pro. “I haven’t been coached at all. When I go abroad to play championships, I sit behind the players and look at their game and learn from their mistakes.”

In fact, he says there are no coaches in Pakistan, so players have to manage on their own. However, he does credit some people for his success.



PHOTO: Ahmer Abbas Saldera

“Three people have played a key role in my success: my parents and Federal Minister of Sports Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, who has always backed us and helped us in every possible way. He has always stood on one leg to help sports grow in Pakistan. He is a true lover of sports and a very honest man.”

Saldera considers it an honour to represent his county and be a role model for the Pakistani youth. “I feel very proud of representing Pakistan as the entire nation has hopes for me and it’s an honour to have your country’s flag on your chest. When I won the first international event, it was the biggest day of my life and for every bowler in Pakistan.”

On the world stage, he recently won second place in the Russian Open in St Petersburg. He also participated in many major world championships, such as World Men Bowling championship in Abu Dhabi and Youth World Cup in Hong Kong, among others.

PHOTO: Ahmer Abbas Saldera



So, how did it all begin for him? “My parents used to take me to Area 51 for bowling when I was four years old. I didn’t know how to play but somehow managed to roll the ball and drop some pins,” Saldera explains.

What started as a recreational activity soon turned into a passion. “When I was 12, I went to Royal Rodale to attend a birthday party where I saw many senior bowlers, including Aleem Agha and Shabbir Lashkarwala playing. I sat down and watched them play. Then I made it my goal to beat them one day and become Pakistan’s No 1.”

PHOTO: Ahmer Abbas Saldera

There is no stopping this champion as he gears up to conquer more international titles. “After the Saldera Open Championship, I will be travelling to Qatar on November 29 to play the Qatar Open, which is one of the biggest events in the world. InshaAllah, I’ll try my best to get another international title for Pakistan.”

The All Pakistan Saldera Open, which is currently being held at the Royal Rodale Club, started on October 15 and the final rounds will be held from November 20-28. Players from all over the world are participating and, according to Saldera, it is the biggest tournament in the history of Pakistan tenpin bowling. This is the second Saldera Open tournament; the first one took place last year.