Emirati Bowler Saleh Al Marri Takes Home Gold At Abu Dhabi’s Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018

Umm Saleh fills with pride each time her son rolls a bowling ball to record another game-winning strike.

Saleh Al Marri dominates the lanes wherever he plays. The 24-year-old Emirati is a bowling sensation with a remarkable record of victories and an impressive tally of strikes.

But what is even more impressive is the change he has undergone since he found his love of the sport and began competing on the world stage at the Special Olympics, says Umm Saleh.

“The Special Olympics has affected various aspects of Saleh’s life and he has become more enthusiastic and self-confident.

“Because the championship is taking place here in Abu Dhabi he wants to be in first place among the people of his country.”

On Sunday, the opening day of the Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 in Abu Dhabi, Saleh came in first place in the 9th division of the traditional singles bowling competition played at Zayed Sports City, winning yet another gold to add to his growing collection.

Saleh first started playing the sport in 2010. A year later he competed in his first Special Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he won two gold medals.

He followed this up with two golds in Egypt and victory in the World Championship in the USA in 2014, says Umm Saleh.