Eight-man team to take part in World Open tenpin Championships next week. PHOTO: FILE
According to Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) secretary and bowler Ijazur Rehman, the team will be aiming to win at least one gold medal in three events — singles, doubles and team — in the competition which will begin on June 9.
Pakistan finished 32nd out of 134 nations in the last edition of the World Championships.
“We have a strong squad and we aim to win primarily because we want everyone to support this sport,” Rehman told The Express Tribune. “We have three bowlers from Karachi, while the rest are Islamabad-based.”
The squad also includes Ahmer Abbass, Aleem Agha, Zafar Iqbal, Ali Surya, Muhammad Hussain Chattha, Rana Afzal Akhtar and manager Muhammad Ali.
Rehman added that Pakistan bowlers had to prepare for the championship on their own without proper coaches or facilities. “We don’t have a coach but it’s the love for this game that keeps us going. We used to have an American coach but he returned to his country last year.”
First Pakistan bowler to turn pro
Rehman also became the first Pakistan bowler to receive a pro-licence, which will enable him to compete in different tournaments all over the world.
“Hopefully we’ll have more bowlers receiving pro-licences from the International Tenpin Bowling Association,” said Rehman. “This licence means a lot to me; in fact I may go to the US to compete in September.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2015.
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