Eqab pulls out with injured finger

Doha: UAE's hopes of winning a medal in bowling were dealt a cruel blow when Naef Eqab withdrew from the Masters event due to an injury to the middle finger on his right hand.

Naef was the UAE's last chance of winning a gold medal in bowling. He was advised by a doctor to withdraw.

"It's sad for Naef who won two silver medals in the All Events and the doubles and took part in the Masters. He was looking forward to continuing yesterday but was denied by the injury and, as a result, he has lost the chance of competing for a medal," said UAE bowling team manager Ahmad Murad.

"The gold is the only medal missing from our collection. We won 10 medals out of 14 won by the UAE athletes in the Asian Games. We hope we can make up for it by winning a gold medal in the next Asian Games in China in 2010."

Murad said that winning three medals was an excellent achievement. "The bowlers did a very good job and clinched three medals despite tough competition from the other Asian bowlers, who are professionals." Murad praised the role played by Mohammad Al Qubaisi.

Big role

"Al Qubaisi did not win a medal in Doha, but he played a big role by encouraging his teammates and advising them."

Murad said that although Al Qubaisi is now 41 years old, they want him to be a part of the team for the 2010 Games. Meanwhile, the UAE chess team scored their second win in round four, beating Bahrain 2-1.

UAE Grandmaster Talib Moussa drew with Maher Ayyad of Bahrain, Abdullah Hasan Al Hammadi drew with Hussain Ayyad and Noora Mohammad Saleh defeated Aysha Mutaywea.UAE now have 6.5 points and are in ninth place.

India, favourites to win the gold, top the standings with 10 points after beating Vietnam 2-5-0.5. China are second with nine points and Qatar are third with 8.5 points.