Muscat: The Seeb Bowling Centre Hall witnessed a strong start to the first round of the Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship, in an atmosphere filled with excitement and a high level of technical performance. Players delivered outstanding competitive displays that reflected their extensive preparation and strong ambitions at the beginning of the tournament.
The opening round results saw Khalid Bait Issa take the lead in the overall standings with 2,005 points, followed by Musab al Adawi in second place with 1,874 points. Sultan al Yarubi came third with 1,736 points, while Ahmed Shoukry was placed fourth with 1,668 points and Badr al Mehrami finished fifth with 1,591 points. Ammar al Balushi was ranked seventh with 1,526 points, Saud al Darai eighth with 1,495 points, Qais al Shanfari ninth with 1,467 points and Ziyad al Raisi tenth with 1,394 points.
Musab al Adawi said that the Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship has featured a high technical standard since its opening, noting that the close level among players reflects the rapid development of the sport in Oman in both technical and organisational aspects.
He explained that securing second place has given him a strong morale boost to continue competing in the coming rounds, especially amid intense competition among elite local and international players. He added that this is his second participation in the championship, which continues to grow in momentum with each edition, both in the number of participants and the strength of the competing names.
Al Adawi also noted that the strong presence of Omani players in this edition reflects the expanding popularity of bowling across the Sultanate of Oman, driven by ongoing efforts to develop the sport and provide a supportive environment for athletes. He praised the role of media coverage in enhancing bowling’s profile and raising public awareness, stressing that the media has become a key partner in supporting individual sports.
He concluded by noting that he had been crowned champion of the previous edition and that his ambition this year was to defend his title and continue delivering performances worthy of his name and the championship's stature.
Shahrazad returns to action
For her part, player Shahrazad al Maskari said that her participation in the Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship marks her official return to competitive action after several years away. She explained that she was a former member of the national women’s team before stepping away from competition.
She stated that her enthusiasm and desire to regain the spirit of competition were the main reasons behind her return, adding that achieving a top position is not her priority in this edition, given the strength of the field. Instead, she aims to assess her technical level and gradually regain her rhythm.
She pointed out that the championship provides an ideal environment for a comeback, thanks to its professional international system, clear regulations and precise scoring mechanism, as well as the high standard of officiating and organisation, which give players a strong sense of fairness and transparency.
Meanwhile, referee Kamil al Maimani confirmed that the Muscat Nights International Bowling Championship is run under a professional officiating system that complies with approved international regulations. He said the refereeing committee closely monitors the finest technical details to ensure fair application of the rules and equal opportunities for all players.
He added that officiating duties go beyond scoring to include monitoring playing techniques, supervising the lanes and addressing any technical observations that may arise, in constant coordination with the organising committee to ensure the smooth flow of the competition.
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