RIYADH, 10 June 2007 — American bowler Michael Fagan walked away with the grand prize of $25,000 and a trophy after beating Mika Koivuniemi of Finland in the 1st Kingdom International Open Bowling Tournament.
The two players battled it for nearly an hour in front of the dozens of bowling fans from various nationalities who gathered at the Universal Bowling Center here. The participation of international professional players had made the tournament all the more competitive and exciting.
Fagan scored 199 to his Finnish opponent’s 173 to win. Finn Koivuniemi received a cash prize of $12,000, while American Tim Mack received $8,000 for finishing third. Qatari Abdullah Qattan, who landed in fifth place, was the only Arab in the top five.
Fagan added another $5,000 to his first prize amount when he beat Saudi bowler Prince Muhammad ibn Sultan Al-Saud in a one-on-one match. The match was set up between the champion and the best-placed Saudi bowler. The tournament concluded on Friday evening with a ceremony attended by Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal ibn Fahd, deputy president of the Saudi Youth Welfare Presidency. In addition to the main event, eight bowlers turned in some spectacular feats that showed off their skills in the lanes and also their control of the bowling ball. One hundred and thirty bowlers from all over the world took part in this tournament.
The tournament was sponsored by Arriyadiyah, a sister publication of Arab News and one of the publications of the Saudi Research and Publishing Company.
Prince Nawaf presented Fagan with the winner’s trophy. Prince Muhammad also received a trophy for finishing the best Saudi bowler in the tournament.
Expressing his views on hosting such an international tournament for the first time in the Kingdom, Prince Nawaf said: “I hope that more events, such as this, will continue to be organized. There is no doubt that such events are supported by the leadership of our country.”
The prince said he was satisfied with the performance of the Saudi bowlers who participated in the tournament. He also encouraged more youth to take up bowling, both on an amateur and professional levels.
