Slovenia for the first time at Mediterranean Challenge Cup

Slovene Tenpin Bowling Association (SBA) was established in 2000, when it split from Ninepin Bowling Association. Although the first bowling alley was opened 35 years ago, the real expansion started with opening of new bowling centers in the last decade. Currently there are in Slovenia 25 bowling centers with 278 lanes – for the population of 2 million (Slovenia is among the smaller Mediterranean countries). The largest bowling center in Ljubljana has 28 lanes, but due to a small size of the country it is safe to say that no place is more than 30 kilometers from the nearest bowling center.

Bowling has become a very popular recreational pastime for all generations. However, SBA also strives to facilitate development of competitive bowling. With only 250 registered players, in the last five years the Slovenian team participated in major competitions: World and European championships. There is much to be done in the coming years, particularly development of bowling for youth; in this season, SBA for the first time organizes state championship for (primary) schoolchildren; the first trainer clinic is taking place under the auspices of ETBF. We are also happy and proud to recognize that Slovenia as a Mediterranean country should participate in the regional events. In Barcelona, the Slovenian team will for the first time participate in the Mediterranean Challenge Cup.

The national team coach is since 2010 Mr. Erno Aholammi from Finland. He selected the participants for Barcelona 2011:

  • Maja Debenec, the first (and for now the only) Slovenian lady to score the perfect game,
  • Mihela Križman, one of the most promising young female bowlers in Slovenia.
  • Matej Feguš, winner of several national championships, and Slovenian player with the higest achievement in international competitions (top 24 in Qubica AMF Cup in Ljubljana 2010).
  • Žiga Kalan represented Slovenia already in 2007 Qubica World Cup in Venezuela, and at the end of last year successfully returned to the national team after an injury.