By Gasper Crasto...04.10.2018
Last Friday, I was invited for a Bowling Final at Cozmo Recreation Centre in Kheifan, Kuwait.
It was a jam-packed Bowling Alley to witness the Championship Finals of Invitational Cup Tournament under Philippine Bowling Association, Kuwait (PBAK).
For a sport which is almost alien to Goans, I was surprised to note 2 lanes of Goan teams fighting the finals - ‘SKARZ’ and ‘PINPALS’.
While SKARZ had unknown faces, the PINPALS were from our own locality with popular faces like Agnello Fernandes, Neeta, Allan, Diego, Raj, Malaika, Travis, Maclex, etc (most of them Navelim bred).
The OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT states as follows:
“In the Intermediate Category PINPALS, the first runner-up is a team to watch and beat.
Although new to the league, they showed professionalism, courage to fight the league giants, perfect attendance and most of all, consistency and competitiveness.
PINPALS top scorer was the team’s guru Agnello Fernandes with 430 points supported by Raj Reddy (423), Allan Fernandes (409), Diego Camilo (400), Maclex D’Costa (255) and Neeta Fernandes (102).
While we congratulate PINPALS on this achievement, we also applaud their interest in venturing into other areas of the sport.”
PBAK PROFILE AND ACTIVITIES:
• Founded in 1986, duly recognized and accredited by the Filipino Community and the Embassy of Philippines in Kuwait.
• A non-profitable organization, actively participates in socio-economic development within Kuwait and the Philippines.
• Conducts non-stop year round bowling leagues and tournaments - both local and GCC bowling events.
• Organized by set of duly elected officers and tournament directors - Filipino nationals.
• Approximate membership of 150, majority of Filipinos as officers and others of mix nationalities.
• Actively supports and assists the embassy shelter for the distressed and people in urgent needs.
PBAK, in its 32nd year of existence, is headed by its President Rudy de Lima supported by a number of members and office-bearers.