Israel got back on the int'l curling map this month when "48 of 49 World Curling Federation delegates voted to reinstate the country as a full member." The reinstatement "followed years of persistence and lobbying, and despite a lack of facilities and limited funding from the Olympic Committee of Israel and the Sports Ministry" (HAARETZ, 9/15). ... Dubai Sports Council Sport Tourism Manager Ghazi Al Madani hopes that the hosting of the annual Dubai Int'l Open Bowling Championships "will raise the standard of the sport in the country." Al Madani: "One of the main objectives in organising this championship is to give our local bowlers an opportunity to interact with top professionals from across the world" (GULF NEWS, 9/16). ... The Int'l Tennis Federation "is hoping the UAE will cash in on the full potential of hosting the world governing body's Annual General Meeting" in Dubai in a year's time. ITF AGM organizer Vicki Fecci said, "Organizing an AGM is a fantastic opportunity for any country to showcase itself before the who's who connected with the sport from across the world. I can see that next year's AGM will bring in a lot of benefits for this country" (GULF NEWS, 9/16).
