27th February, Doha: Asian Ranked No. 1 women, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia, claimed the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 title defeating top-seed, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, 203, 232, 206 to Shaheen's 236, 199, 192 at Qatar Bowling Center.

Shalin, who trailed Shaheen at the end of yesterday's semifinals, finished 5th-seed in today's finals to face second-seed, Remy Ong of Singpaore in the first stepladder match while her teammate, Alex Liew finished 3rd-seed in a match with 4th-seed, Andrew Frawley of Australia.

The 27-year-old easily took the first game 253-199 but lost the second to Ong 209-232. In the crucial third game, however, Shalin came back strongly to cap off a 2-1 win over her opponent, 246-208 to meet the winner of the 3rd and 4th-seed match.

Southpaw, Alex Liew was equally convincing when he ousted Andrew Frawley, 234, 232 to 211, 186 for a 2-0 win to meet Shalin. Liew ran away with the first game 279-187 against Shalin but narrowly lost the second 210-215. Like in the first match, Shalin showed more composure homing in on 212 to knockout Liew who could only manage 189 in the deciding game.

The final match saw two current Asian Ranked No. 1 for both the men and women division. Top-seed, Ahmed Shaheen was all fired up when he cruised to a 232-203 win over his challenger, Shalin. But the only women in the tournament, turned tha table with a 232-199 win to tie at one game a peice.

It was nip and tuck in the decider as both bowlers were cautious not to make any mistake but luck favoured Shalin this time to claim the title with 206-192 for a 2-1 win over Shaheen. The champion took home 50,000 Qatari Riyal for her effort.

Shaheen settled for the runner-up position and 25,000 QR while Alex Liew finsihed third for 15,000 QR. Fourth position and 10,000 QR went to Remy Ong after he defeated Andrew Frawley in the loosers' match 2-0 while Frawley finished fifth to take home 6,000 QR.

The top 16 men qualified for the ABF Tour - Qatar leg which will be played tomorrow (28th February) at the same bowling center. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

26th February, Doha: Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, topped the semifinals of the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 to lead the top 12 into the finals at Qatar Bowling Center this evening.

The 37-year-old former World Cup champion set a cracking pace to lead from start to finsih over the 8-games semifinals with a total score of 1896. Shaheen had lines of 223, 268, 234, 237, 265 and 285 before easing off with 185 and 199 in the 7th and 8th game.

Hot on his heels was current Asian Ranked No. 1 women, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia, who was equally superb. Shalin, the only women bowler to qualify for the finals and competing against the top Asian men without handicap, knocked down 1844 to trail the leader by 52 pins on 1844.

2nd Commonwealth Championship two Gold medalist, Alex Liew of Malaysia finished third, just 44 pins adrift on 1800 ahead of top qualifier and last year's Qatar Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore in fourth with 1784.

Mahmood Alattar of UAE and Mohammed Al-Mannai of Qatar finished fifth and sixth positions with 1782 and 1763 followed by Australia's Andrew Frawley in seventh with 1745. ABF Tour - TOC champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong took eighth place with 1724 with another Malaysian, Aaron Kong in nineth with 1716.

Three Qatari, Saeed Al-Hajri (1710), Ahmed Al-Kuwari (1708) and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi (1690) completed the top 12 in 10th to 12th respectively for tomorrow's finals. Malaysia's Azidi Ameran missed the cut in 13th with 1642.

For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

25th February, Doha: 2004 Qatar Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore took over pole position of the top 24 qualifiers of the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 at the end of the qualifying rounds at Qatar Bowling Center.

The 27-year-old topped back-to-back squads with 736 and 755 to take over the pole position of the top 24 qualifying table with his best of 3 squads of 9 games on 2221. Ong was in scintilating form to score lines of 277, 210 and 249 in Squad 19 and 234, 242 and 279 in Squad 20.

Champion of the ABF Tour - Tournament of Champions, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong took second spot in the same squad with 703, then followed up topping Squad 21 with 728 to qualify in seventh overall with 2147. The only women to make the finals was Shalin Zulkifli finishing 13th overall with 2120. Her teammate, Azidi Ameran also made the finals with 693 in the same squad and another 691 in Squad 22 to eventually squeezed in 18th overall.

Despite finishing second to Remy Ong with 730 in Squad 20, Ben Heng of Malaysia just missed the cut in 26th position by 4 pins to the 24th-placed qualifier and ABF Tour Hong Kong leg champion, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar, who totalled 2098. Also missing the finals was 2nd Commonwealth triple Gold medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli who ended up in 25th, 3 pins adrift with 2095.

By the end of the three special extra squad were played late last night, Remy Ong of Singapore remained pole on 2221 with Qatar's Ahmed Shaheen (2213) in second and Bandar Al-Shafi (2165) third. Singapore's Lee Yu Wen, scorer of the second perfect game, was placed fourth with 2163 while Malaysia's Aaron Kong took fifth spot with 2159.

Australia's Andrew Frawley (6th-2155), Wu Siu Hong (7th-2147), Saeed Al-Hajri (8th-2140), Mohamed Janahi (9th-2135) and Alex Liew (10th-2134) completed the top 10 of the 24 qualifiers. The top 24 will contest the Masters finals starting with the semifinals tomorrow (26th February) and the results will be available at 9.00pm Hong Kong time. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

24th February, Doha: Singapore's Lee Yu Wen shot the second perfect game in Squad 16 of the H.H. Emir Cup enroute to share fourth overall in the top 24 qualifying table.

The 25-year-old Busan Asian Games Trios Gold medalist shot the tournament's second perfect game in Squad 16 with lines of 300, 255 and 247 for the tournament's highest 3-game series of 802 to propel him to take up fourth overall in the top 24 qualifying table.

Lee's last success was winning the 2002 Vietnam Open and will be looking forward to doing well now that he has secured a place in the finals. Lee also represented Singapore in the 2nd Commonwealth Championship in Cyprus last week in which he came home empty handed.

Egypt's Ahmed Khattab finished second in the same squad with 743 while Commonwealth Championship triple Gold medalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli posted 710 for third spot and has moved himself up from 19th to 16th overall.

In the earlier Squad 15, Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Aaron Kong of Malaysia topped the squad with a score of 739 on lines of 236, 269 and 234 moving up from 10th overnight to third in the overall table. Ahmed Khattab posted 721 for second spot while Mohammed Jonahi of Bahrain returned third with 702.

Jonahi went on to top Squad 17 with lines of 245, 245 and 259 which took him to seventh overall with Adel Al-Marzoogi of UAE taking second spot in the same squad with 700.

Qatar's Ahmed Shaheen and Bandar Al-Shafi continue to occupy the top 2 spots of the overall table with 2213 and 2165 respectively while Aaron Kong surged up to third with 2159. Lee Yu Wen's perfect game gave him a joint-fourth with Australia's Andrew Frawley on 2155.

Qualifying will move into its final day today (25th February) and the top 24 will contest the masters finals on Saturday, 26th February. At the end of the finals on Sunday, the top 16 will qualify for a one-day ABF Tour - Qatar 2005. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

23rd February, Doha: Malaysian bowlers led by Shalin Zulkfili dominated Squad 11 of the H.H. Emir Cup occupying the four top spots while UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan shot the first perfect game in Squad 14.

Shalin, who won two three Gold medals in the recently concluded 2nd Commonwealth Championship in Cyprus last week, finally found her line to post 215, 286 and 245 for a total of 746 in Squad 11 today moving up to ninth overall with 2091 over her best three 3-games qualifying series.

Youngster, Mohd Nadri also posted a high 743 with 211, 263 and 269 to take up second in the same squad while 2003 Malaysian Open champion, Azidi Ameran finished third with 722 on lines of 216, 257 and 249. 2004 Milo International Junior All Stars champion, Aaron Kong gave Malaysia a superb day of bowling to take up fourth with 721.

Kong's 721 has helped him to move up to 10th overall on a total 2090 and has assured himself a place in the finals while Mohd Nadri and Azidi Ameran only managed to improve to 26th and 30th positions with 2019 and 1992 respectively.

Australia's Andrew Frawley posted 691 in Squad 12 moving him up to 22nd overall. Bandar Al-Shafi and Saeed Al-Hajri, both improved with identical 746 in Squad 13 while Squad 14 belonged to UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan. The Asian Championship Gold medalist scored the tournament's first perfect game when he knocked down 224, 300 and 192 for a 716 total behind Squad 14 leader, Yousef Al-Jaber of Qatar on 719.

Qatar bowlers continued to dominate the top 24 with Ahmed Shaheen, Bandar Al-Shafi and Saeed Al-Hajri taking the top 3 spots on 2213, 2165 and 2140. Alex Liew, who tied for second yesterday, dropped to fourth with 2125.

There will be 6 more squads plus three special squads for qualifications before the final top 24 will contest the masters finals on Saturday, 26th February.

For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

22nd February, Doha: Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Ahmed Shaheen Al Muraikhi of Qatar remained pole in the top 24 leaderboard of the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 as Squad 9 and 10 ended here at Qatar Bowling Center.

The 37-year-old former World Cup Champion topped the leaderboard since the start of the championship with series of 767, 729 and 707 for a total of 2203. Qatar's Bandar Al-Shafi, who trailed Shaheen also shared second spot with Malaysia's Alex Liew on a total of 2125.

Fresh from winning the 2nd Commonwealth Championship Doubles and Team Gold medals, Liew posted a superb 763 in his first series followed by a 682 in the second and a 680 in his third. Ahmed Al-Kuwari and Khalifa Al-Kubaisi of Qatar, both dropped one spot to share fourth place with 2121.

Kuwait's Mohammed Al-Ajwi posted 715 to top Squad 9 followed by Ahmed Al-Kuwari of Qatar in second with 709. UAE's Hussain Al-Suwaidi scored 699 for third while Singapore's Remy Ong did well to knock down 692 for fourth spot.

In Squad 10, Khalifa Al-Kubaisi had lines of 227, 268 and 247 to score 742 and topping the squad. His best attempt so far also helped him to share fourth spot im the top 24 qualifiers. Asian Championship Gold medalist, Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE took second in the same squad with 711 while Malaysia's Jonathan Lim came home third with a superb 707.

Qualifying runs through to the 25th February and finals will take place on the 26th and 27th February. The top 16 men at the end of the Emir Cup will qualify for the first leg of the ABF Tour 2005 scheduled for the 28th February at the same bowling center. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

21st February, Doha: Andrew Frawley of Australia and Alex Liew of Malaysia topped Squad 7 and 8 of the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 at Qatar Bowling Center with 723 and 763 respectively.

Frawley posted lines of 211, 256 and 256 for a total of 723 to top Squad 7 yesterday ahead of Qatar's Fahad Al-Emadi in second with 716. Southpaw, Ben Heng of Malaysia finished third in his first attempt with lines of 246, 210, 234 for a total of 690.

Salem Bosherbak of Qatar totalled 686 to take up fourth with Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE in fifth spot with 686. 2nd Commonwealth Championship Doubles Gold medalist, Alex Liew of Malaysia posted 680 for sixth position.

Triple Commonwealth Championship Gold medalist, Shalin Zulkifli competing with the men without handicap, did well in her first try to score 679 for seventh while her teammate, Adrian Ang finished eighth on 668.

Alex Liew of Malaysia improved his Suqad 7 score with lines of 220, 258, and 285 for a total of 763 to top Squad 8. The 29-year-old Proshop supervisor, who won the Doubles, Team Gold medals and Masters Silver medal in the 2nd Commonwealth Championship in Cyprus, just need another good 700-series to be in the top 5 overall.

Meanwhile, Qatar bowlers dominated by occupying the top 6 slots of the top 24 qualifiers with Ahmed Shaheen in the lead from the best of 3 series of 767, 729 and 707 for a total score of 2203. Shaheen was followed by his teammate, Bandar Al-Shafi in second with 2125 and Ahmed Al Kuwari in third spot with 2107.

Fahad Al-Emadi (2088), Abdulla Al-Qattan (2084) and Saeed Al-Hajri (2075) took up fourth to sixth positions respectively.

Qualifying runs through to the 25th February and finals will take place on the 26th and 27th February. The top 16 men at the end of the Emir Cup will qualify for the first leg of the ABF Tour 2005 scheduled for the 28th February at the same bowling center. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation

20th February, Doha: Ahmed Shaheen Al Muraikhi of Qatar took the lead in Squad 1 of the H.H. Emir Cup 2005 underway at Qatar Bowling Center with southpaw, Bandar Al-Shafi in second and Saeed Al-Hajri third.

The 37 year-old winner of the 2004 Sinai Open, Thailand Open and the ABF Tour Thailand leg, posted 247, 225 and 257 for a total of 729 and an average of 243 for the lead. Southpaw, Bandar Al-Shafi, whose ban was lifted just last month alogn with Saeed Al-Hajri, knocked down 238, 235 and 238 for a score of 711 to take up second spot. Saeed finished third with lines of 224, 178 and 279 for 681 total.

Yousef Al-Jaber (QAT-651), Pr. Mohamed Bin Sultan (KSA-646), Khalifa K Al-Kubaisi (QAT-625), Adel Al-Marzooqi (UAE-624), Mohammed Jamal (QAT-616), Jamal Al-Sahoti (QAT-609) and Salem Bosherbak (QAT-608) made up the top 10 after Day 1.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mohammed Al Kaabi announced the inaugration of the Emir Cup 2005 on behalf of Mr. Salman Abdullah Abdul Ghani, President of the Federation and Board member.

Qualifying runs through to the 25th February and finals will take place on the 26th and 27th February. The top 16 men at the end of the Emir Cup will qualify for the first leg of the ABF Tour 2005 scheduled for the 28th February at the same bowling center. For detailed scores, please visit http://www.emircuptour.org/emircup/.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation