28th February, Doha: Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar claimed the first leg title of the 2006 ABF Tour - Qatar after defeating fellow-countrymen, Jamal Al-Sahoti, 222-212 in the final match.

The champion ousted teammate, Abdulla Al-Qttan, 194-179 in the first semifinal to set up the final against Jamal, who earned a crack at the title after edging Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE, 203-201 in the other semifinal match.

The 2006 ABF Tour got underway at Qatar Bowling Centre as a large crowd gathered to support their two local finalists, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi and Jamal Al-Sahoti challenging for honours. Mubarak came out tops as he edged Jamal in a thrilling finale, 222-212 to claim his first-ever tour title.

The first round began 2004 Emir Cup champion and fourth-seed, Abdulla Al-Qattan having to go into a 9th and 10th frame roll-off after he tied with Fahad Al-Emadi of Qatar at 170. Abdullah scored 40 after edging Fahad, who could only manage 36 and went on to book his semifinal spot by knocking out Mohammed Al-Mannai, 175-164 in Round 2.

Third-seed, Ahmed Shaheen defeated teammate, Bandar Al-Shafi 220-185 in the first round but lost to the runner-up, Jamal Al-Sahoti, 201-213 in

Round 2. Jamal easily defeated Mohamed Janahi of Bahrain, 185-156 in Round 1.

Newly-crowned Emir up champion, Andrew Frawley of Australia, made an early exit after being knocked out by Mubarak Al-Muraikhi, 185-190 in Round 1 while second-seed, Sayed Ibrahim of UAE was eliminated in Round 2 by Hussain Al-Suwadi, 180-185.

The ABF Tour - Qatar leg was contested over one day after the top 16 Asian finalists of the H.H. Emir Cup which concluded on the 27th February.

The ABF Tour will comprise nine Legs and a Grand Final, the Tournament of Champions. Each Leg will be staged over one competition day where the top 16 men and 16 women bowlers from the preceding International Open Masters Event (Open Grade) will compete in a one-game match play knock-out competition for the individual men's and women's titles.

The Tournament of Champions will be staged over four competition days where the top 16 men and 16 women bowlers (based on ABF Tour ranking points), will qualify to compete over four rounds of competition for the coveted men's and women's ABF Tour Champion titles.

For further information and details please contact ABF Tour Committee Marketing and Event Management Division at Tel: (852) 2810 5191; Fax: (852) 28105192; Mr. Ritchie Lai (Mobile: (852) 93598669; email: ritchie.lai@tndgroup.com or Mr. Kelvin Pong (Mobile: (852) 9100 0958; email: Kelvin.pong@tndgroup.com. Visit www.abftour.com for LIVE scores.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.