Bowled over!

IN Nadia Akeel, Bahrain has another champion. The best woman bowler in the kingdom once again affirmed her supremacy by winning the sixth Kingdom of Bahrain International Bowling Championship against some of the best bowlers from Asia.

It was another moment of glory for Bahrain following the success of the athletics team at the Arab Athletics Championship in Amman. Nadia’s victory also off set the disappointment surrounding Bahrain’s young Davis Cup team following its futile bid to rise from the depths of the lowest rung in Asia.
Nadia, hailing from a bowling family, was at her fighting best during the decisive moments of this prestigious event. There were sparks of brilliance, bursts of inspiration and a constant will to win against tremendous odds. Particularly, in the final stages against Vanessa Fung of Hong Kong.
In the end, the 24-year-old Bahraini won 202-180 after a protracted six-game semi-final and a nerve-tangling pre-final step-ladder competition for the top prize of $2,000. It was her third successive title in this championship and another landmark in her glittering career. That the victory came with a pair of strikes in her final two rolls was a fitting end to a hard-fought campaign.
“I wanted this victory very badly,” said an elated Nadia soon after clinching the title to spark a family celebration.
Nadia jumped into the waiting arms of her father Ahmed as her mother and two sisters, both distinguished bowlers, proudly looked on after a dramatic day of despairing lows and inspiring highs. It was a moment to cherish for Bahrain bowling’s first family.
Nadia in many ways represents the modern Bahraini sportswomen. She is determined, dashing and daring to go that extra mile in pursuit of a dream. More pertinently, she is not afraid of winning.
But unlike another great Bahraini sportswomen Ruqaya Al Ghasra, Nadia has failed to break regional barriers and live up to her full potential at a higher level.
Ruqaya has been constantly upwardly mobile. Her progression has been structured and systematically positive. The Golden Girl rose step-by-step by first clearing the national and regional hurdles. The Arab championships were her next logical targets which she achieved with distinction. The Asian Games followed where she won a bronze in the 100m and a gold in the 200m.
Now Ruqaya, who like Nadia is also 24, and at her prime form and in peak condition, is expectantly looking at world glory at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Osaka, Japan, later this year.
Agreed, the comparison is a little unfair, but it is hard to overlook.
Nadia won a gold medal at the West Asian Games in Doha in December 2005, the same year she also achieved her best Asian ranking of 18. It was expected to be a launching pad for greater conquests. But, sadly, it was not properly used to protect and project a potential champion. Blame it on the system, or a lack of one, if you like.
I am surprised how the craze for bowling in Bahrain has not been streamlined and crystalised into a potential talent spotting exercise. Bowling in Bahrain is largely for recreation and purely a social engagement with family and friends, for expatriates and locals alike. It also serves as a charity fund-raiser.
The same was the case with snooker till recently. But with a new coach and a set of dedicated officials, snooker has been rejuvenated in Bahrain. The changes are refreshing and the influx of new talent promising. With a league format in place, a coaching system in full swing and ranking tournaments in various age groups lined-up, the sport is attracting youngsters to take it up seriously.
Table tennis is another sport on the island which has transformed under professional guidance. The base for this game has more than doubled in a matter of a few months. Today, table tennis is the most popular sport in schools and its league one of the best organised given its huge size and shape.
Certainly, bowling cannot follow the table tennis method for obvious reasons. But some systematic changes, like in snooker, can give bowling a firm boost in Bahrain.

By Vijay Mruthyunjaya
vmruthyunjaya@gmail.com