JEDDAH: For the first time, the Saudi Bowling Federation is preparing to participate in the sixth World Bowling Women’s Championships, to beheld in Las Vegas on Aug. 22-30.
After four days of tournaments in the main cities where the Saudi women’s teams are based — Riyadh, Alkhobar and Jeddah — six playershave qualified to participate: Amani Al-Ghamdi, Nahla Adas, Mariam Al-Dosari, Ghada Nimir, Mashael Al-Abdulwahid and Hadeel Termein.
They have joined a training camp in Riyadh in preparation for the championship.
This move is part of efforts by the federation, under Chairman Badr bin Abdullah Al-Asheikh, to support women in bowling.
The Saudi women’s bowling team participated in three local tournaments in 2018, four open tournaments in the Kingdom in 2019, and the ArabBowling Championship in Egypt in February this year.
“We are happy to empower women in sports and create opportunities for Saudi women to represent the Kingdom in international events,” saidAl-Asheikh.
“This positively reflects on the development of women’s sports in the country, and helps it reach the largest segment of society.”
He thanked the chairman of the General Sports Authority, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, for his keenness and support for Saudibowling.
“The Saudi Bowling Federation seeks to continuously develop women’s bowling, whether through participating in championships or improvingplayers’ technical skills,” said Al-Asheikh.
He hailed the federation’s achievements and bowlers’ efforts, saying their participation in the world championship marks a milestone in thehistory of Saudi bowling.
This participation will allow Saudi women bowlers to play with other champions from Malaysia, Korea, Sweden and Japan, he added.The president of World Bowling, Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah, praised this participation.
Razan Baker, a board member of the Saudi Bowling Federation, said: “These international championships always bring together eliteathletes and have a great psychological impact on the athletes. Therefore, we are happy to participate and we look forward to apositive presence that will benefit the bowlers as well as bowling fans in Saudi Arabia.”
She added: “We hope this participation motivates other women bowlers in Arab countries to participate in the most important event for womenbowlers and help develop the game locally and across the Arab world.”
