[April 12, 2009]

Ong lifts Bahrain Open bowling title [Gulf Daily News, Manama, Bahrain]

(Gulf Daily News (Bahrain) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Apr. 12--FORMER world champion Remy Ong of Singapore yesterday won the eighth edition of the Kingdom of Bahrain/Batelco Open Bowling Championship.

The 30-year-old singles champion at the World Tenpin Bowling Championships in 2006 secured the prestigious title and $20,000 grand prize after powering to a 279-204 victory against Kuwait's Mohammed Kamel in the last match of the step-ladder finals, played in front of a packed crowed at Funland Centre.

"It's always great to win," an ecstatic Ong told the GDN following play. "It's especially nice to take this trophy in my first try here in Bahrain. It's been a long and tough week and everybody was shooting crazy high scores. But I enjoyed it and hopefully I can come back next year and defend my title." Ong started the final game with six successive strikes to quickly build a commanding lead against Kamel. The Kuwaiti began to lose ground when he played his first spare in the third frame, and despite putting up a fight, could not match Ong's brilliance as the newly crowned champion had virtually iced his win in as early as frame six.

"The step-ladder was a whole new ball game," Ong said. "I was just trying to put the ball on the line and the strikes just kept coming.

"I didn't think about what he was doing; I have no control over that. What I can control is what I'm doing, so I just put in my best effort and I'm very pleased it led to the win." Commented Kamel: "I think I played well, but so did he. I tried my best and it's part of the game to be beaten even if you play a lot of good shots.

"It's nice to know that it was a former world champion who beat me; I have a lot of respect for Remy." Ong had earlier topped the field of 18 bowlers during the eight-game semi-final round also played yesterday. He had a 247.38 average and 1,979 total to head into the step-ladder with the top seeding.

Kamel earned the second seed after his own fine showing, which included the first of the day's two perfect games of 300 pins which he scored in game two. It helped propel him to a 246.00 average and 1,968 overall count.

Joining the top two in the step-ladder were Bahrain's Hameed Taqi (245.38, 1,963), UAE's Shaker Al Hassan (243.75, 1,950), and Hong Kong's Cyrus Cheung (243.63, 1,949).

Cheung squeezed into the finals with a late surge that featured the other perfect game over his final 10 frames. His strong finish eliminated defending champion Saeed Al Hajri of Qatar, who played a 243.00 average and 1,944 total to finish sixth of the 18 semi-finalists.

Momentum Cheung carried his momentum into the opening step, where he faced Al Hassan -- a match he narrowly won 217-209 to set up a meeting against Bahrain's Taqi.

The Hong Kong ace beat the hometown favourite 237-209 to move on to face Kamel, but his two earlier games seemed to have taken its toll as the well-rested Kuwaiti won comfortably 258-185 to forge the title-deciding clash.

Ong had a twice-to-beat advantage in the last step-ladder match, but didn't need it as he displayed the class and poise that left the hundreds in attendance silently whispering praises.

Ong will next try to add to his Bahrain victory with a win at the Saudi Open, which begins on April 25.

Meanwhile, Hussain Yacoob Al Shehabi won the tournament's juniors division for the second straight year. He defeated Ahmed Al Gaoud 170-167 in the final to claim his trophy.

Yesterday's play was witnessed by avid bowler and high-ranking Bahraini sports official Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.

Also in attendance were Batelco Bahrain chief executive Gert Rieder, Batelco public relations specialist Osama Al Saad, Bahrain Bowling Association (BBA) president Abdulla Al Doseri, BBA vice-president Abdulla Raees, and BBA general secretary Nasser Al Sulaiti.

They later joined General Organisation for Youth and Sports official Abdulrahman Askar in presenting the trophies at the awarding ceremony held last night at the Bapco Club in Awali.

Today, an Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour event will be taking place at Funland, with some of the Bahrain Open's top participants competing.

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