JEDDAH, 15 April 2008 — The race for berths is expected to heat up as the qualifying round enters the second week.
Joining the international field of bowlers entered in the 2nd Kingdom International Open Bowling Tournament at the Universal Bowling Center in Riyadh is Filipino bowling icon Paeng Nepomuceno.
Nepomucemo, 51, is arriving in Riyadh at 9:10 p.m. today via the Gulf Air GF 163 flight from Manila. A four-time World Cup champion and International Bowling Hall of Famer, Nepomuceno is coming to the Kingdom on the invitation of Prince Abdulhakeem ibn Musaed, president of the tournament Organizing Committee and owner of UBC.
This will be Nepomuceno’s second visit to Saudi Arabia. In 1984, he was part of the Philippine team that played exhibition matches during the nine-day event in Riyadh, Alkhobar and Jeddah. Former senator Tito Sotto, Bong Coo, Bec Watanabe, Tony Ayson and Oly Reformado were the other team members.
“The event is highly organized and is getting better year after the other especially with the participation of international bowlers and the encouraging awards that makes the competition stronger and enthusiastic,” said Saudi bowler Majid Aslani. The prizes have been scaled down to 48th place with the champion to receive $30,000. The second place winner will take home $ 18,000, third place $12,000 and fourth place $ 10,000. Fifth and sixth places will receive $ 6,000, seven and eighth $ 5,000, from 9 to 12 $ 4, 000, from 13 to 16 $ 3, 000, from 17 to 24 $ 2, 000, from 25 to 32 $ 1, 200, and from 33 to 48 $ 800. In addition there is a prize of $ 7, 000 to be given during the two weeks of qualifying for the bowler with the highest series. Winner of the complete set will receive $ 3,000, and $ 3, 600 for the best Saudi bowler.
Also, bowlers from the UAE, USA, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Mexico are seeing action.
The qualifying round to pick the top 48 bowlers ends on Friday. The final is set for April 21.
Qualifying round standings as of April 13: 1. Hassan Alsheikh (Saudi Arabia) 2190 pinfalls 2. Naif Oqab (UAE) 2160 3. Majid Aslani (Saudi Arabia) 2121 4. Talal Toweireib (Saudi Arabia) 2102 5. Mohammed Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) 2098 6. Bader Alsheikh (Saudi Arbia) 2084 7. Prince Abdulhakeem ibn Musaed (Saudi Arabia) 2054 8. Josh Blanchard (USA) 682 9. Yassir Abureesh (Saudi Arabia) 2026 10. Ahmed Al-Hithayyan (Saudi Arabia) 1983 11. Fadi Al-Toweireib (Saudi Arabia) 1959 12. Ernee Noto (Philippines) 1940 13. Yousif Akbar (Saudi Arabia) 1939 14. Abdullah Al-Amoudi (Saudi Arabia) 1938 15. Abdullah Salamah (Saudi Arabia) 1935 16. Indian Abdulrahman Burhani (India) 1921.
