RIYADH, October 6, 2024 – He sold his wife’s gold to compete in bowling tournaments. His father’s initial disapproval turned into praise when he began winning. He even skipped school just to play the game—such was his passion for bowling. Meet Mohammed Al-Najrani, a 53-year-old retired military officer and current professional bowler, whose journey in the sport began in the 1980s. At around 12 years old, his small fingers first touched a bowling ball, and from that moment, he was hooked.

In an exclusive interview with AIPS, Al-Najrani discussed his sports career while participating in the Saudi Games 2024 as a member of the bowling organizing committee.

THE GOLD In Middle Eastern culture, dowries—traditionally given as gold—hold deep symbolic value, representing love and the strength of a marriage, as gold appreciates over time. It was a difficult sacrifice for Al-Najrani to ask his wife to sell her gold so he could pursue his bowling career.

Yet, the gamble paid off; he won the championship and returned the dowry to her in cash, with profit.

BEGINNINGS Al-Najrani’s journey into bowling began with curiosity. As a child, he watched the sport on the “Dahran” channel, which sparked excitement in him. One day, while at the pool for a swim, he noticed a bowling alley nearby and decided to give it a try. Playing at a commercial bowling alley where he paid per game, his passion grew, despite a lack of professional training. He learned through advice from experienced players, gradually developing his skills.

SETBACK At a critical point, Al-Najrani received an enticing offer to turn professional, promising fame and an income double his current salary. However, he realized that a career in bowling wouldn’t provide the financial stability his family needed at the time. Despite it being his childhood dream, Al-Najrani made the difficult decision to choose a steady job over the professional bowling life, prioritizing his family’s security over his passion.

THE FIRST BALL Without a bowling ball of his own, Al-Najrani saved from his school allowance until he could afford one, buying it for 80 riyals (about $20)—a significant sum in the 1980s, equivalent to around 300 riyals ($80) today. That ball was more than just equipment; it symbolized his ambition and marked the start of his dedicated journey.

PARENTS’ DISAPPROVAL Al-Najrani’s challenges weren’t just financial; he also faced disapproval from his father, who was not pleased with his dedication to bowling over academics. However, as he began winning tournaments, his father’s stance softened, and he became a supportive figure upon seeing his son’s achievements.

SACRIFICES AND SUCCESSES Through persistence and dedication, Al-Najrani won medals, including gold, at championships, proudly representing the Saudi national team. While the national team funded his major international tournaments, Al-Najrani continued to cover expenses for other competitions on his own, driven by his resolve to succeed.

Bowling greatly influenced Al-Najrani’s personal life as well. One cash prize helped cover his wedding expenses, making the sport a meaningful part of his family life. However, there were times he had to sell his wife’s gold to afford tournament expenses. This decision was not just financial; it symbolized the depth of his passion and his commitment to achieving his goals in bowling.

Today, Al-Najrani continues to give back to Saudi bowling. He works as an organizer for tournaments like the Saudi Games and serves as assistant coach for the Saudi national bowling team, passing on his dedication and expertise to a new generation of players.