156 players set for women’s bowling championship

Muscat: The 18th Women’s Bowling Championship will bring together 156 players representing 26 teams from 22 public and private institutions at Fun Zone in Qurum from September 20 to 30.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth’s Women’s Sports Department in cooperation with the Oman Bowling Committee, the championship features singles, doubles, team and masters competitions.
The draw at the Omani Society for Fine Arts in Ghala divided the teams into two groups. Saada bint Salim al Ismaili, the ministry’s women’s sports expert, conducted the draw following an address by Khawla bint Rashid al Rawahi, director of the Women’s Sports Department.
Al Rawahi welcomed newcomers and praised institutions for their continued participation. She said the championship encouraged physical activity, helped ease workplace pressures, supported working women’s well-being and provided opportunities to connect through sport, while stressing fair play and an environment that respects women’s privacy.
Group A comprises Petroleum Development Oman, Al Maha Petroleum Products Marketing (A), Occidental (B), Ministry of Finance (B), Awasr, Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Royal Court Affairs (B), United Services Company, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company, Environment Authority, Muscat Municipality and MB Holding.

Group B features Sohar International, Al Maha (B), Occidental (A), Ministry of Finance (A), Royal Court Affairs (A), Consumer Protection Authority, OQ, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Shell, Rihal, Diwan of Royal Court, State Audit Institution and Omantel.
Team qualifying opens on September 20, followed by singles on September 22, doubles on September 27 and Masters on September 29. The team finals and presentation ceremony are scheduled for September 30. Play starts at 3.30 pm on competition days.
Teams may register four players and two reserves, all employed by their respective institutions, including a maximum of two non-Omani residents. Singles, doubles and team contests comprise three games, with seven teams from each group advancing to the team finals. The top 30 players by aggregate scores across the opening singles, doubles and team events qualify for the three-game Masters final. First-time participants receive bonus points. Overall institutional standings will be determined by medal tallies and medal colour, with the top three institutions honoured.

Shamsa bint Rashid al Shukaili, representing MB Holding, said she had participated since the inaugural edition and helped establish several company teams.
“The championship is more than a competition. It gives working women a welcome outlet and a chance to come together in an enjoyable, competitive atmosphere,” she said.
She highlighted improving standards and increasingly competitive teams, while thanking the organisers for sustaining the event.
Sohar International’s Samar al Maashari, competing for a fourth consecutive year, said her team aimed to improve on last year’s third-place finish.
“We are proud of that achievement, but it motivates us to perform better and challenge for the leading positions,” she said.
Al Maashari said the team hoped to build on previous experience, while calling for greater attention to lane oiling and competition timings to improve playing conditions.