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Bowling History

Is told that an English archeologist found in an Egyptian child's tomb pins and balls that could be part of a game, maybe even some sort of primitive bowling.

Another myth says that warriors from ancient tribes had fun after the battles using the bones of their enemies' thighs as targets of skulls, which were thrown in the same way bowling balls are (with the finger in the skull holes).

In the XII century was created in England a bowling game in the lawn whose objective was to put the ball the closest possible to the target without knock it down. The game turned out to be so popular that King Edward forbade its practice because he was affraid it would beat Archeary, sport that had greater military importance.

However, the modern version of bowling was born around century IV or V, in Germany. It had religious connotation and was played with 9 pins set in the shape of a diamond. Is said that Martin Luther enjoyed that game so much that he ordered the construction of a private bowling lane at home.

Americans adopted that game, changing the setting of the pins for the triangular shape and adding another pin, the game was named "ten pin bowling". This game had a large impulse in century XX's begining, first in the USA and later on in Europe.

In september 9th, 1895, was organized in New York the American Bowling Congress (ABC), hosted in Milwaukee, the objective was to apply corrective actions against the excessive games and improve bowling rules. The bowling equipment was then fully standardized so that players from all over the world could practice in the same conditions.

Nowadays there are over 65 million players in USA, where the awardings can reach thousands of dollars for professionals and amateurs.

Besides ABC, there are other important bowling organizations in the USA, like WIBC (The Women's International Bowling Congress), established in 1916; YABA (Young American Bowling Alliance) established in 1982; and PBA (The Professional Bowlers Association), established in 1958. FIQ (Federation Internationale de Quilleurs) was established in 1952 and nowadays it's headquarter is in Colorado Springs, CO, USA.

In the world there are over 50.000 bowling lanes for over 100 million players in over 90 countries.

Source: www.boliche.com.br

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Bowling History