Muscat – Kuwaiti bowler Nasser al Kandari was crowned champion of the Muscat Nights International Open Bowling Championship, which concluded on Monday night at Seeb Bowling Centre following an exciting final day of action.

The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of HE Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth Affairs, and in the presence of HE Eng. Ahmed bin Said al Amri, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, and Sheikh Said bin Rashid al Qatbi, Chairman of Oman Bowling Committee (OBC), alongside bowling lovers who followed the final rounds with great interest.

The championship saw 160 bowlers representing 19 countries across the world compete for a total prize money of OMR 30,000. The event was organised by OBC in cooperation with Muscat Municipality and according to the regulations and top standards of the International Bowling Federation and the Asian Bowling Federation, reinforcing its status as one of the region’s premier international tournaments.

The final day witnessed intense competition, beginning with the qualification of 32 players for the semifinals before narrowing down to five bowlers in the stepladder finals. The Kuwaiti bowler Al Kandari advanced to the final match after recording the highest pinfall average, while British bowler Ben Robinson secured second place in the standings.

The remaining three contenders included Finland’s Tommi Kihok, Oman’s Musab al Adawi (the defending champion) and Malaysia’s Mohammad Syazlur, who contested a single-game playoff. Kihok advanced to the next stage with 224 pins, while Al Adawi finished fourth overall with 210 pins, and Syazlur placed fifth with 219 pins.

In the semifinal match, Robinson defeated Kihok after scoring 238 points to Kihok’s 217, setting up a thrilling final against Al Kandari. The championship match delivered high drama until the final frames, with Al Kandari demonstrating exceptional lane reading and experience to secure victory with 245 pins, compared to Robinson’s 217.

Kuwait’s bowler claimed the first prize of OMR 8,500, while Robinson received OMR 4,300 for second place. The third-place finisher earned OMR 3,000, while prize money was distributed to all players finishing in the top 32.

Al Kandari expressed his delight at winning the title. “ I am happy with the triumph and this is the result of sustained effort and teamwork under the guidance of the technical staff. Thanks to Oman for the excellent hosting of the tournaments in high organisational and technical standards,” he said

“This victory gives me a huge motivational boost ahead of the World Championship in June,” he said

Robinson praised the quality of the final and the tournament’s organisation. “ This is my first visit to Muscat and I will look forward to returning next year. My next stop would be an international tournament in the United States,” he said

Omani bowler Musab al Adawi highlighted the importance of such international championships in building experience and confidence. “ I am very glad to be in the tournament again, especially this event featured different lane conditions and elite-level competition,” he concluded