Former bowling champion, coach and administrator Mohammad Al Khaja is in a jovial mood at the Emirates Bowling Federation office on the evening he sat down with Gulf News for an interview.
I could sense it from the moment we shook hands. It was a warm handshake, the kind you normally reserve for an old friend. A greeting that was intended to express cordiality.
He escorts me into his office which is incredibly tidy, and says with a smile: "So tell me, what do you want to know about bowling?
"Everything," I responded, taking the cue from the promising start we have made.
Five minutes into the interview and I realise that Al Khaja has an amazing passion for bowling, a sport that clearly has given him stacks of satisfaction. He revealed that his ‘obsession' with the sport began almost 40 years ago, when as a youngster he was first bitten by the bug, during a visit to Piccadilly Circus in London's West End.
The rest, is history.
Gulf Champion
Al Khaja was instrumental in introducing the sport to the UAE and also helped form the UAE Bowling Federation in November, 1982. He juggled roles as a player and administrator and even bagged the gold medal at the Gulf Championships in 1982 in addition to leading the UAE to the prestigious team title.
During his day he earned the respect of the region's top bowlers and was the recipient of several major awards. On the bowling alley he exuded power, skill and leadership, and was considered one of the finest when it came to finesse and accuracy. Off the alleys, he had a reputation as an intelligent and light-hearted man.
Words like "pioneer" and "legend" come to my mind.
Although now retired, he is still thoroughly involved with the sport and holds key administrative positions as Vice-President of both the UAE and Asian Bowling Federations, this in addition to being a senior member of the National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Through the highly informative reports and strategies that he presents in his uniquely colourful and forthright style, he has ensured that bowling has secured a strong foothold in the UAE where it enjoys widespread year-round popularity.
"Bowling is not just a sport, it's a social game," said Al Khaja. "It's a game that you can bring your whole family to watch. No other sport allows spectators the chance to get this close to the players. And more than anything, you can play it any time of the year.
"I would say bowling is in a very healthy position in the UAE. The number of players involved in the sport is much higher compared to the past when we just had one club each in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Today, there are bowling centres everywhere and in every mall.
"We have over 350 registered national bowlers in our Federation and an additional 800 plus regular bowlers who take part in all the leagues and competitions. So you can say we're happy with the way it has developed over the years."
But what was Al Khaja's the secret to success?
"If you go back in history and compare individual games that are played in the UAE, I think we have achieved the most success through bowling," Al Khaja said.
"I am proud to be the founder of the bowling federation in the country which we got recognition from the government in 1992. I was also happy to be involved with some of our brightest moments in the sport, both as a player, captain and administrator.
"It just so happened that I was the first Gulf champion when we made out debut in Bahrain, perhaps that was the catalyst. I have never looked back since that day."
Despite building a strong foundation for the sport it was by no means easy to sustain it as other sports, like football, began to grow in popularity.
What have been the challenges that he had to deal with to keep the momentum going?
"The government is there to support you, but [it] cannot give you everything," Al Khaja said. "My challenge was to attract people to the sport. Most of my first team members are still very good, but they are getting old and have administrative jobs as well. They spend much more time in offices than at the bowling centre. We have to groom more bowlers which we are doing, but it isn't easy."
Al Khaja said he wants to see more ladies take up the sport.
"I'm sure they will embrace it and enjoy it — they'll find it can be fun," he said. "I have written to the higher authority of the Arab Sports Council to introduce ladies bowling into the Arab Championships. The competition will enhance the game amongst women. Let's see what happens."
As a man who considers bowling to be an important social and competitive sport Al Khaja is quite disappointed that it is not part of the Olympic Games.
"Bowling has been on the Olympic radar for quite a while, and the world bowling federation has done everything to comply with Olympic rules."
Profile: Mohammad Al Khaja
Born: March 17, 1950
Nationality: Emirati
Sport: Bowling, right handed
Started bowling: 1980
Achievements
1982: Gulf Champion (individual)
1982: Gulf Champion (team)
Sports positions: Vice-President, Emirates Bowling Federation (EBF); Vice-President, Asian Bowling Federation (ABF); board member, National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Official position: Senior Vice-President, Safety & Standards, Emirates
