UAE | Leisure
Dubai bowling centres grow in popularity
Ten years ago, Mohammad Khalifa Al Qubaisi made an impression in the sporting world when he won the World Cup Bowling Championship held in Mexico.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:51 August 22, 2008
- Dubai Bowling Centre, Al Mamzar 04 296 9222
- Al Nasr Leisureland 04 337 1234
- Dubai Bowling Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai 04 339 1010
- Bowling City, Abu Dhabi Mall 02 676 0444
- Al Ain Mall, Al Ain 03 751 0006
- Emirates University, Al Ain 03 767 6255
- American University, Sharjah 06 558 9094
Dubai: Ten years ago, Mohammad Khalifa Al Qubaisi made an impression in the sporting world when he won the World Cup Bowling Championship held in Mexico.
That achievement set the ball rolling as UAE youth suddenly started paying more attention to the sport. Since then, the country has played host to many international competitions, the most prominent among these being the FIQ World Championships in 1999, as well as the Asian Bowling Championship and the Arab and GCC Bowling Championships.
Bowling is seen as an entertainment sport by the majority of the expatriate population here, but it is the country's bowlers who have led people to believe that sporting glory for the UAE lies in pursuing individual sports.
Al Qubaisi's achievement brought to life a movement and Zayed Sports City, built in 1979, added the Khalifa International Bowling Centre in Abu Dhabi in 1999. The centre went on to successfully host the Bowling World Cup Championship in November that year.
There is no scarcity of facilities when it comes to bowling in the UAE. Started in 2001, the Dubai Bowling Centre is an ultra-modern bowling and recreation centre boasting 36 synthetic lanes. It has a generous parking lot.
Inside one can indulge in options such as video games, a cafe, fast food centre, a spa and a Thai massage centre.
Team building
Some of the top companies in Dubai, such as Emirates Group, Caltex and National Bank of Dubai rely on exclusive arrangements to foster team building and competition.
The DBC has also hosted some of the prestigious tournaments like the 11th FIQ-WTBA Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships and the Airlines Bowling Cup.
The Thunder Bowl along Shaikh Zayed Road has been brought down to make way for ongoing developmental projects in Dubai.
But that has been replaced with a new centre as you proceed towards Nad Al Sheba. One of the attractions at Al Nasr Leisureland is the eight-lane bowling alley. One can hire shoes at the alley.
Sport: The venues
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