(ATR) The 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships are underway in Abu Dhabi.
"Competition is going very well so far," Kevin Dornberger, president of World Bowling, tells Around the Rings. "A Canadian won the singles event, and Korea--always a powerhouse--won doubles."
World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA), the Emirates Bowling Federation, and Zayed Sports City are hosting the world championships at the Khalifa International Bowling Center. The 40-lane venue was originally built for the 1999 World Bowling Championships.
When asked how Abu Dhabi is doing as a host city so far, Dornberger tells ATR, "Terrific. They have a lot of on-site volunteers, and they can’t ask you often enough whether there’s anything you need."
Dornberger tells ATR that so far only a few logistical issues have come up with hotel accommodations. "The official hotel filled quicker than anticipated, a second was also filled, and we just had enough room availability to avoid adding a third."
The nine-day competition, which officially opened on Dec. 4, has gathered over 270 bowlers from 49 countries.
A maximum of six bowlers per country will compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in six events including: singles, doubles, trios, five-player teams, all-events, and masters.
The Asian Bowling Federation is represented by 21 countries, the European Tenpin Bowling Federation is represented by 20, and the Pan American Confederation is represented by 8 countries.
World Bowling predicts the event, which officially closes on Dec. 15, will draw almost 1,000 spectators to the Khalifa International Bowling Center.
ATR reporter Nicole Bennett is traveling to Abu Dhabi to cover events in the World Bowling men’s Championships including the men’s team medal round and men’s masters medal round.
All rounds will be broadcast live on BOWL.com's BowlTV.
For a complete schedule in EST, click here.
Written byNicole Bennett
Homepage photo: Getty Images
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