PAENG VISITS NEW
INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CAMPUS

One of the sport's most regarded international competitors and coaches, Paeng Nepomuceno, got a first-hand look at the International Bowling Campus on this past week.

Nepomuceno, a six-time world champion from the Philippines, has worked with the United States Bowling Congress Coaching program over the past three years to certify more than 300 coaches around the world. As part of his continuing education, he paid a visit to the new facilities in Arlington, Texas.

"This facility is the most modern in regards to the coaching and all the advances are really mind-boggling," Nepomuceno said after receiving a tour of the International Training and Research Center. "I salute USBC and the whole International Bowling Campus for putting up a complex like this."

Nepomuceno, who is featured prominently in the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame with a large display just inside the front entrance, is considered a national sports hero in the Philippines. He was the first athlete to be enshrined in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame after that group five times named him Athlete of the Year. He was also named Filipino Athlete of the Century in 1999.

The left-hander, who was named Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (bowling's world governing body) Bowling Athlete of the Millennium in 1999, has won 118 bowling titles worldwide, including a record four QubicaAMF World Cup championships in three different decades.

Although he still competes on the lanes, Nepomuceno, 53, is committed to certifying coaches through USBC Coaching and has scheduled upcoming certification courses in June in Jakarta, Indonesia, and in July in Hong Kong.

"I believe in USBC's goal to put bowling in the Olympics one day," said Nepomuceno, who teaches Level 1, Bronze and Silver level courses. "By helping train coaches around the world, this is one way I can help."

Nepomuceno is visiting the International Bowling Campus not only to see the new facilities but also to get updates on the USBC Coaching program by taking part in a USBC Silver certification course this weekend.

"It's great to get athletes such as Paeng, with all his history, knowledge and respect, here to visit our facilities," said Neil Stremmel, USBC Vice President of National Governing Body. "He's offering valuable input on the services we are providing here, and I hope he is the first of many international coaches and athletes who visit the International Bowling Campus."

Nearly 30 coaches from the United States, United Kingdom and Mexico will take part in the first coaching certification course at the International Bowling Campus this weekend.