VIENNA, Austria – Bowling has become a very popular game and has attracted many Filipino enthusiasts to the sport.

The achievements and recognitions given to Filipino sportsmen in the international arena played a big role in drawing more Pinoys to support the sport.

The likes of Paeng Nepomuceno, as a 4-time World Cup champion and the only bowler in the world to have achieved such feat, continue to draw admiration not only from among Filipinos.

Along with Nepumuceno, Bong Coo and Lita dela Rosa made the country proud with their multiple World Cup titles and put the country in a prominent place in world bowling.

Almost a decade ago, there were only a few Filipinos who joined leagues and tournaments organized by local bowling centers.

The number of enthusiasts grew over the years, and eventually bowlers organized their own groups and excelled in the sport.
 
Filipino Austrian Jacky Broinger recently joined the National Bowling Team and is considered one of the youngest and best lady bowlers in the country.

Brothers Philipp and Patrick Schlösser, also of Filipino descent, are making a name in the bowling world after participating and winning in the national competitions.

“Actually this is the very reason why we came out with the Philippine Bowling League in Austria (PBLA). Gusto naming makisalamuha sa Austrian Bowling stream and eventually in the international bowling competitions, too. My fellow founders find it really inspiring to see Austrian Filipinos who are making a name [for themselves] in the field of bowling here in Austria,” Larry Subido told ABS-CBN News.

Subido is one of the founders of the Philippine Bowling league in Austria. He has participated in numerous bowling tournaments already.

The Philippine Bowling League is scheduled to expand its activities in Austria. The group is expected to organize more tournaments in the coming months.

On December 19, 2009, PBLA will host “Strike 9 Charity – Bowling for a Cause”.

“PBLA’s aim is not only to encourage and promote bowling as a sport and strengthen camaraderie among Pinoys here, but we have also the mission to help our 'kababayans' back home who are in dire need of our support,” Carlo Gonzales told ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau.

Gonzales added that Strike 9’s proceeds will fund the scholarship projects in the Philippines, which is managed by the Filipino Chaplaincy in Vienna.

“This is under the supervision of Fr. Ron Sandoval of the Philippinische Gottesdienst Gemeinde,” Gonzales said.

Established August this year, the PBLA is the first Filipino bowling league officially registered under the Austrian Sports Union (Sport Union Osterreich).