26th June, Doha: Qatar's Mubarak Al-Muraikhi survived an onslaught by Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong in the final shootout to captured the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 title after defeating his challenger, 631-601 to emerged champion.

Mubarak, who ended the 8-game Top 12 semifinals earlier by a margin of 34 pins on 3708, started the first match nervously to edge Wu Siu Hong, 171-169. His challenger and second-seed was on a hot streak after despatching fifth-seed, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia, 451-422 in first match then went on to knock out Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE, winner of the third and fourth seeded match, 485-395.

Despite a poor first match against Mubarak, Wu came back strongly to take the second match, 238-205 to force the Qatari into the deciding match. Wu saw his hope of capturing back-to-back title as he went down to Mubarak, 197-237 in the crucial match giving Mubarak his second international title this year.

The champion had in April this year, won the 6th Kingdom of Bahrain International Open. Mubarak was richer by QRS 75,000 (US$20,600) for capping a fine week while the first runner-up took home QRS 50,000 (US$13,700). Shaker Al-Hassan, who won his first shootout match against Saeed l-Hajri, finished third to win QRS 25,000 (US$6,800).

Saeed, who struggled in the first match, finally found his form to defeat Ryan Lalisang in the looser's playoff, 489-361 to claim fourth spot with the Indonesian remaining in fifth position. Perfect gamer, Khaled Al-Dubyyan of Kuwait missed the cut finishing sixth in the earlier semifinals.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

25th June, Doha: Qatari bowlers shone in the quarterfinals of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 with southpaw, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi and Saeed Al-Hajri leading the field at the end of the 8-game quarterfinals contested at Qatar International Bowling Centre.

Saeed Al-Hajri, who made the finals in 16th, set a blistering pace when he knocked down 279 in the opening game to lead by 32 pins over newly-crowned ABF Tour Saudi leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE. A 193 in the second game by Saeed saw another UAE bowler, Shaker Al-Hassan narrowing the gap to just 2 pins when the latter posted 247.

The Qatari then fired 258 and 267 in his next two games to draw clear of the field with a 72 pin margin at the halfway mark with perfect gamer and 2005 World Ranking Masters champion, Khaled Al-Dubyyan of Kuwait in second as his nearest opponent.

While Saeed kept a good pace in games 5 and 6, it was fellow compatriot, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi who picked up his pace with scintillating 276 and 278 to grab the lead at this stage but only 18 pins ahead of Saeed.

Mubarak, this year's Kingdom of Bahrain champion, eventually cruised to a comfortable 50 pin margin on an 8-game total of 1922 when he rounded off the last two games with 245 and 226. Saeed settled for second despite knocking down 218 and 221 in games 7 and 8 for a total of 1872.

UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan snatched third spot with a superb 267 in the last game to amassed a total of 1766 while Yousef Al-Jaber of Qatar and Khaled Al-Dubyyan completed the top 5 with 1745 and 1737 respectively.

Top qualifier, Wu Siu Hong kept close to the leaders but counld only manage sixth-place finish with 1731 with Mansoor Al-Awamy (QAT-1721), Ryan Lalisang (INA-1709), Abdulla Haroon (QAT-1695), Sayed Ibrahim (UAE-1693), Fuaad Al-Mas (UAE-1684) and Abdulla Al-Qattan (QAT-1654) making the cut for the semifinals.

Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE just missed the cut in 13th by 20 pins and the only European, Amedo Spada of Italy, Australia's Andrew Frawley and second highest qualifier, Bandar Al-Shafi also failing to make the cut. The top 12 will bowl another 8 games in the semifinals and the top 5 will proceed to the title shootout.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

24th June, Doha: Newly-crowned Philippines Open champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong, set his sight for a back-to-back title as he took over the lead in the qualifying table of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 at Qatar International Bowling Centre.

The 24-year-old Wu Siu Hong, who was seventh after two superb squads of 784 and 742 over long oil condition, moved to the top of the leaderboard with 669 and 763 two 3-game series, both in short oil conditions.

Wu started squad 43 with 178, 243 and finishing strongly on 257 for the 669 series but put up an inspired performance reeling off 269, 247 and 247 for yet another highest series of the day on 763. The two strong series allowed him to overtake overnight leader, Bandar Al-Shafi of Qatar with a 12-game total of 2958.

Kuwait Open and ABF Tour Kuwait leg champion, Ryan Lalisang also improved from 24th position to 15th with 2696 after finishing second to Wu in both squads 43 and 44 last night. But local Qatari, Fuaad Al-Mas stole the limelight from Wu after becoming the second bowler to score a perfect game.

Fuaad, who was on the last squad, started poorly with 198 and 194 in his first two games but brought home the magical 300 in the final game to the delight of the large crowd that has gathered behind their local hero. Despite a perfect game, Fuaad could only total 692 but moved himself from 25th to 18th in the qualifying table.

Qatar national team members, Bandar Al-Shafi, Khalifa Al-Kubaisi and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi all dropped one spot each to take up second to fourth with 2890, 2845 and 2809 respectively. Shaker Al-Hassan became the best UAE qualifier in fifth with 2750 while Fadhel A-Mousawi was Kuwait's best performer in sixth with 2742.

The cut off at 24th position was 2654 averaging 221.17 which is held by Fahad Al-Ragheeb of Kuwait. The top 24 plus 4 from desperado squad will make the cut for the finals tomorrow. The top 12 at the end of the finals will proceed to the top 12 semifinals on 26th June.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

23rd June, Doha: Pressures mounted with 3 more days left for qualifying in the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 at Qatar International Bowling Center as Bahrain's Osama Khalfan and Yousif Falah shared the high series prize with 698.

Fuaad Al-Mas' 667 in squad 37 set the benchmark for the high series at the start of 10th day of the on-going H.H. Emir Cup 2007 qualifying rounds but was soon taken over by Osama Khalfan of Baharin posting 289, 178 and 231 for a high series of 698.

While newly-crowned ABF Tour Saudi leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE and Qatar's Mansoor Al-Awamy came closed with 669 and 667, it looked like a sub-700 series may have earned Osama the daily high series prize.

Fellow-countrymen, Yousif Falah then turned on the heat with 194, 248 and 256 to tie with Osama on 698. Mansoor had another go in the short oil condition in the last squad of the day in an attempt to grab the high series after two superb games of 239 and 245 but a disappointing 208 in his final game only gave him a total of 692, just 7 pins short.

Qatar's Bandar Al-Shafi remained solidly in the front of the leaderboard with 2890 ahead of fellow compatriots, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi, Khalifa Al-Kbaisi and Mansoor Al-Awamy taking second to fourth positions with 2809, 2792 and 2739 respectively.

Hussain Al-Suwaidi became the best non-Qatari in fifth with 2738 with Yousef Al-Jaber of Qatar dropping to sxith with 2730. Newly-crowned Philippines Open champion, Wu Siu Hong hauled himself up to seventh with 2726 after yesterday's 784 highest series and a 742 in the long oil.

With 621 and 579 from Wu's short oil squads, any improvements from these the short oil condition will surely see him moving further up the leaderboard. With 2 more days left for qualifying, pressure will mount for the competitors vying for a place in the top 28.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

22nd June, Doha: 2005 World Ranking Masters champion, Khaled Al-Dubyyan of Kuwait scored the first perfect game of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 on Squad 36 but could not better Wu Siu Hong's 784 for the highest series of the day.

Al-Dubyyan, who tied with UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan yesterday with 724 and missed the highest series prize after Kuwait's Jassem Darwish recorded 730 to snatch the highest series prize. Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong set the lanes at Qatar International Bowling Center ablazed as he reeled off 278, 247 and 259 to post 784 and looked unsurpassable.

At the last squad of the day, Fuaad Al-Mas of UAE came close to bettering Wu's score but fell short when he posted 721. Al-Dubyyan started off moderately with 213 and 208 in his first two games but silent the house as he reeled 11 consecutive strikes bringing the center to a stand still.

As the crowd watch eagerly, he duly obliged hitting a perfect pocket to become the first bowler of the championship to score a perfect 300. His perfect game also helped him to tie the highest series of the squad but again failed to surpass Wu's 784.

His achievement moved him up from 46th position to sixth in the qualifying table on a 12-game total of 2701. Qatari bowlers continued to occupy the top 5 positions with Bandar Al-Shafi in pole with 2890. Mubarak Al-Muraikhi and Khalifa Al-Kubaisi took second and third spots with 2805 and 2792.

Fellow countrymen, Yousef Al-Jaber remained fourth with 2729 ahead of Abdulla Al-Qattan fifth with 2707. Al-Dubyyan also became the best non-Qatari in sixth position.

The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

21st June, Doha: UAE bowlers closed the gap to Qatari leaders as Shaker Al-Hassan, newly-crowned ABF Tour Saudi leg champion, Hussain Al-Suwaidi and Sayed Ibrahim took ninth to 11th spots in the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 qualifying table.

As the bowlers took to the lanes for their squad 29 qualifying round on long oil condition, Fahad Al-Ragheeb of Kuwait, set the pace with 202, 254 and 239 for a total of 695. Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE turned on the heat as he knocked down 254, 257 and 213 to top the squad with 724. Shaker kept his fingers crossed hoping to bag the highest series of the day.

2006 World Ranking Masters champion, Khaled Al-Dubyyan of Kuwait scorched the lanes at Qatar International Bowling Center to post 246, 223 and 255 for an identical total of 724 to Shakers' which left the duo possibly sharing the prize.

As there were no major high series recorded in the next squad, it was left to the last squad of the day - Squad 32 on short oil. Kuwaiti Jassem Darwish bowled superbly knocking down 246, 248 and 236 to snatch the high series with 730, just 6 pins ahead of Shaker and Khaled.

Overnight leader, Bandar Al-Shafi continued to top the table leading 7 other Qataris to occupy the top 8 spots in the table. Bandar totaled 2890 ahead of fellow-countryman, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi in second with 2805 with Khalifa Al-Kubaisi third on 2792.

Shaker Al-Hassan finished ninth with 2676 followed by Hussain Al-Suwaidi in tenth with 2667 and Sayed Ibrahim 11th with 2660. Jassem Darwish of Kuwait had only completed three squads and lie in 48th position with 1927.

The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

20th June, Doha: Local bowlers continued to rule in the qualifying rounds of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 at the Qatar International Bowling Centre Wednesday evening with Bandar Al-Shafi leading the pack.

The Qatari national team member, who surged to the top of the leaderboard after a superb 797 in squad 21 on short oil, improved further with another scintillating 741 in the following squad. The 29-year-old posted 266, 279 and 252 to record the highest series so far and then went on to knock down 258, 247 and 236.

With moderate 695 and 657 in his long oil squads, Bandar had accummulated 2890 to lead 8 other Qataris in the table. Fellow compatriot, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi settled for second with 2805 while a 722 from Khalifa Al-Kubaisi moved him up to third spot with 2746.

Winner of the highest series on Day 2, Ahmed Al-Kuwari lies fourth with 2687 ahead of Mansoor Al-Awamy, Ahmed Al-Mohnandi, Abdulla Al-Qattan, Saeed Al-Hajri and Khaled Al-Doseri, who rounded up the top 9 Qataris from fifth onwards.

Best non-Qatari qualifer was UAE's Sayed Ibrahim after shooting 675 in squad 22 behind Bandar to take up tenth position with a 12-game total of 2600. The current cut-off at position 24th was Qatar's Fahah Al-Emadi on 2218.

The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

19th June, Doha: Southpaws, Bandar Al-Shafi and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi dominated the qualifying rounds of the on-going H.H. Emir Cup 2007 occupying the top two positions on Day 5.

National team member, Bandar scorched the lanes at Qatar Bowling Center in Squad 21 this morning to post the highest series of 797. The southpaw had lines of 266, 279 and 252 for a incredible average of 265.67.

The Qatari's moderate 695 and 657 on the long oil condition and 797 and 669 on the short oil, gave Bandar a 12-game total of 2818 to move to the top of the qualifying table disloging fellow teammate and overnight leader, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi into second spot.

Mubaraki, also a left-hander, improved in the same squad as Bandar, posting 703 to allow him to raise his overall qualifying score from 2782 to 2805 but dropped to second spot. Mansor Al-Awamy finished a distant third on 2678.

Abdulla Al-Qattan and scorer of Day 2 highest series, Ahmed Al-Kuwari rounded up the top 5 with 2677 and 2669 respectively. The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

18th June, Doha: Mohammed Ismaeel of Qatar not only scored the highest game of the tournament so far with 299 but he also won the daily high series award of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 while Mubarak Al-Muraikhi topped the qualifying rounds at Qatar International Bowling Center.

Mohammed started off the final squad of the day with a moderate 197 but set the lanes ablazed as he reeled off strike after strike right up to the 11th frame. The bowling center came to a standstill as the lanky Qatari set himself up for the final shot.

But luck was not on his side as he left pin 10 standing firmly and missing out on scoring the first perfect game of the tournament. Mohammed rounded off with 220 in his final game on long oil to bag the highest series of the day with 716.

Mohammed's 716 was the highest 3-game series so far with Abdulla Haroon second highest on 710 and Mubarak Al-Muraikhi third on 707. Mubarak led the qualifying table with 2782 ahead of Bandar Al-Shafi on 2685.

Mansoor Al-Awamy of Qatar, Abdulla Al-Qattan and Ahmed Al-Kuwari completed the top 5 with 2678, 2677 and 2669 respectively. The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

17th June, Doha: Qatar's National Team member, Ahmed Al-Kuwari won the daily high series for yesterday's squads with a total score of 694 during the qualifying rounds of the H.H. Emr Cup 2007 at Qatar International Bowling Center.

Ahmed knocked down lines of 215, 223 and 256 over short oil condition to total 694 to claim the daily high series prize. Bandar Al-Shafi came close to overtaking Ahmed after a fine run of 256 and 205 but a poor 197 saw him finishing with 658 and second in the squad.

After the end of four squads on Day 1, Abdulla Al-Qattan took over the lead in the qualifying leaderboard with 2616 followed by Mubarak Al-Muraikhi in second with 2568.

Four squads would be contested today and the top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the top 28 finals on 25th June. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.

16th June, Doha: Qatar's Abdulla Haroon won the daily high series prize for his 3 games total of 710 from the first squad of the H.H. Emir Cup 2007 underway at Qatar International Bowling Centre on Saturday.

Abdulla posted lines of 220, 234 and 256 over long oil condition to total 710 and topped the the first squad. Fellow compatriot, Khaled Al-Wadaani finished second in the same squad with 621 followed by Ibrahim Sheldan of Palestine third with 617.

The closest player to Abdulla was Kingdom of Bahrain Open champion, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi of Qatar, who scored 707 from his 3 games in the second squad yesterday.

At the end of Day 1, Qatar's Ahmad Al-Mohnandi led the qualifying round with 2462 after two squads whereas Abdulla Al-Qattan of Qatar was second with 2340.

The top 24 plus 4 from the Desperado Squad will make the cut for the Top 28 finals. The finalsits will qualify from the best of 2 squads on long oil and best of 2 squads from short oil for a 12-game total to make the cut. Qalifying rounds will end on the 24th June.

Photos courtesy of Qatar Bowling Federation.