Tenpin bowling: Pakistan set for world championship debut

Rehman to lead six-member team at premier event in Abu Dhabi

KARACHI: National champion Ijazur Rehman will lead five other players in Pakistan’s debut at the 2014 World Tenpin Bowling Championship, which will commence on December 4 at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

The 12-day competition will feature players from 134 countries who will take part in four events; singles, doubles, trios and team competitions.

“We’re all well-prepared and excited to play in Abu Dhabi,” Rehman told The Express Tribune. “We’ve competed at the Qubica AFM World Cup which takes place every year, but this is our first time at the world championship. It happens after every four years, so it’s a big deal for us.”

Rehman added that the Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) has named two players from Islamabad (including him), two players from Karachi and two Dubai-based players.

“It’s going to be a good combination; Umer Khalid from Dubai won the GCC Tenpin Bowling Championship in the UAE earlier this year, so we’re confident.”

He added that it used to be a struggle for the bowlers to train for international events due to a lack of facilities in Pakistan. However, now different clubs are helping in promoting the sport.

“We didn’t have as many clubs in the country before. Right now, we don’t have a coach either, but we’re trying. We practiced at the Leisure City Bowling Club in Islamabad for this event,” explained Rehman.

The team also includes Muhammad Hussain Chatha, Fazil Mania, Ahmer Abbas Saldera and Sultan Durrani.

 

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