It’s “All systems go” with just less than four weeks to the opening ceremony of the 42nd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Caracas, Venezuela. The tournament will take place from 4th to 10 November 2006 in the 40-lane centre in Mampote, just outside Caracas. The final line up in Venezuela could well beat the record of 95 participating nations in Singapore 2004. Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Manager, commented: “The magnificent centre at Mampote is being refurbished and equipped with our state-of-the-art machinery and scoring system. The conditions for bowlers and fans alike will be superb. “I am really looking forward to this event and to welcoming old and new friends alike and I am sure we will have an excellent tournament.”

Among those who can expect a very warm welcome are two players who hold the record for the most appearances – Aida Granillo of El Salvador will be competing for an amazing 16th time, while Mohammed Khalifa al Qubaisi is not only competing for the 13th time, but of course he is also a returning champion, having won the title in 1988 in Guadalajara.

Or Aviram of Israel will also be coming again, setting up the intriguing possibility of a rematch of last year’s final as Canada’s Michael Schmidt will be competing. Or has recently become the first Israeli to win a major international title, having won the European Cup for Individuals in Riga, Latvia, in September. His sister, Mor, will be Israel’s female competitor. She competed in 2004 in Singapore when she was just 16.

Marco Odio of Costa Rica will be making his 12th appearance in the event. Marco, who first played the event in 1983 in Mexico City, is regarded as the best bowler Costa Rica has ever produced and is planning to retire soon, meaning this will be his last Bowling World Cup. He will be joined in representing Costa Rica by Marie Ramirez who delighted the crowd in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2003 when she finished in 3rd place.

They are not the only players with a World Cup pedigree who will be returning. Norway’s Petter Hansen, a runner up in 2004 in Singapore and ¼ finalist last year in Ljubljana, Slovenia, will be coming back. Another ¼ finalist from last year, Lucas Legnani of Argentina, will also be competing again and Qatar’s Saed al Hajri will return after a gap of 11 years, having finished 5th in 1994 when the event was held in Hermosillo, Mexico.

In the women’s section, Colombia will be represented by Clara Juliana Guerrero, the runner up in 2000, in Lisbon, Portugal, while Puerto Rico’s Joselin Leon who finished in 3rd place in Singapore in 2004 will also be making a welcome return, as will Scotland’s Laura Rhoney who finished 5th also in 2004.

Two married couples will be competing: Marcio and Lara Jesus for the Azores, and Dejan and Gordana Radulovich of Serbia. Both countries made their QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup debuts last year.

Two newcomer countries have indicated their attendance – Cuba and Pakistan – although the names of their competitors have yet to be announced. Bolivia will be making a welcome return after nearly 30 years’ absence.

Notes for Editors
The appearance of two returning champions has already been announced: Canada’s Schmidt of Canada will be trying to become the first male bowler to retain the title having won it last year, while Peter Ljung of Sweden will be looking to repeat his success of 20 years ago, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark. So far, there is no female returning champion. Other returners of note include former sportsmen of the tournament, Bashar Kalaji of Syria (2001), Guy Caminsky of South Africa (2002) and Patrick Mehdi Leroy of Morocco (2003) and sportswoman Beatrix Pesek of Hungary (2003). The centre at Mampote was the scene for the 1983 FIQ World Championships. A full list of competitors declared so far is attached. The event has the personal support of President Hugo Chavez and the Minister of Education and Sports, Prof. Aristobulo Isturiz. The Vice-Minister for Sport, Prof Eduardo Alvarez Camacho, who is also the President of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee and President of the National Institute of Sports, is heading up the organising committee. QubicaAMF Worldwide is the founder, organiser and principal sponsor of the Bowling World Cup. QubicaAMF Worldwide is one of the largest bowling products companies in the world. With worldwide headquarters near Richmond, Virginia, USA, and European headquarters in Bologna, Italy, the company manufactures a complete line of high-quality, innovative solutions for new and existing bowling and entertainment centres.