Federació Catalana de Bitlles i Bowling

The 7th Qatar International Open Bowling Tournament 2007 which took place from the 10 to the 21of January 2008, as stated by tournament manager Salman Abdulla AbdulGhani, has been the biggest international tournament in Asia, attracting many professionals bowlers from all over the world and offering a total prize fund of 150,000 U.S. Dollar.

The tournament concluded with the victory of Kirsten Penny from England who defeated 479-460 Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong, earning the $50,000 top prize. It is the first year after the Qatar Open adopted the European Bowling Tour rules combining the men's and women's division (women received 8 pins handicap each game). Shalin Zulkifli from Malaysia was defeated by Penny in the semi-finals, 436-416, while Wu Siu Hong beat the only Qatari in the finals, Mubarak Al-Muraikhi, 421-371. Martin Larsen, Sweden, Choi Bok Eum, Korea, Adrian Ang, Malaysia, and Jason Belmonte, Australia, were wiped out in the quarterfinals and finished in 5th through 8th place, worth $4,000 each. The second round was not reached by World Ranking Masters champion Stuart Williams from England; European Masters champion Mads Sandbækken from Norway, European ranking champion Osku Palermaa from Finland and American Tim Mack. Ryan Lalisang, Naif Oqab, as well as the top Qatari qualifier Bandar Al-Shafi terminated in the third round. On December 4-13, 2008, the 8th edition of the Qatar International Open will take place: it will be the final event of the 2008 European Bowling Tour and will be the first-ever tournament on the EBT outside Europe.

This edition 7th edition of the Qatar Open has been a test for next year’s challenge and has shown to be a success thanks to the excellent organisation. FIQ President Jessie Phua assisted to the opening ceremony, the FIQ General Secretary and ETBF President Addie Ophelders was present all throughout the tournament and the closing prize- giving ceremony was accompanied by the presence of FIQ Vice-president and FCBB President Joan Ricart.