Pakistan's Bowling Stars Shine at Deaf Olympics, Clinch 6 Spots on National Team

The UAE's national deaf bowling team departed for Tokyo yesterday to compete in the Deaflympics, running from November 15-26. This marks another step in the country's growing commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities on the international stage.

The delegation is led by Abdullah Khalil Ahli, head of the UAE Deaf Sports Committee. The team includes technical and administrative staff members Shaker Ali, Khaled Mohammed Al Ali, and Hamad Al Darmaki, along with sign language interpreter Abdullah Al Jubaini.

Six athletes will represent the UAE: Ayman Al Maqbali, Tariq Shihab, Adnan Moalami, Adnan Al Jabri, Ali Al Jaber, and Walid Radwan. The bowling competition puts them against teams from dozens of countries in what's considered the premier sporting event for deaf athletes worldwide.

Ahli described the Tokyo participation as the result of extensive preparation and high-spirited training by the athletes. The Deaflympics, held every four years, attracts over 3,000 athletes from more than 70 countries across multiple sports.

Thabyan Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the UAE National Paralympic Committee, expressed hopes for strong results from the team. He emphasized that deaf athletes' participation in this global event reflects the UAE leadership's ongoing support for people of determination across all sporting fields.

The UAE has been expanding its presence in international competitions for athletes with disabilities. This bowling team's participation continues that trend, building on previous successes in Paralympic and regional competitions. For the athletes, the Deaflympics represents years of training and the chance to compete at the highest level of their sport.