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- With events to be held around the globe, the league is looking to transform traditional bowling into a mainstream spectator sport
DUBAI: The World Bowling League has added Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a new strategic investor after recently announcing MLB superstar and three-time World Series Champion Mookie Betts鈥� Team OMG as the first franchise.
With modernized gameplay, mixed-gender teams, and events expected to be held around the globe, the league 鈥� founded by Dubai-based Adi K. Mishra 鈥� is looking to transform traditional bowling into a mainstream spectator sport.
Kohli, a global sports icon, steps into the league with a personal connection to the lanes. 鈥淚 started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t is evident how popular the sport is while being underappreciated as a business proposition. Adi K. Mishra鈥檚 vision to redefine bowling is unique, and after our success with Team Blue Rising in the E1 series, I鈥檓 thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner.鈥�
Kohli鈥檚 popularity and influence as the third-most followed athlete on Instagram 鈥� behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi 鈥� amplifies the league鈥檚 mission to inspire a new generation of fans.
Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co., echoed Kohli鈥檚 enthusiasm.
鈥淓lite-level bowling is a world of intricate challenges 鈥� from lanes with unique topographies and thousands of 3D-printed oil patterns to balls that react differently with every roll.
鈥淲hen I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport. Virat鈥檚 relentless drive for sports mirrors our own.
鈥淓very week, we uncover more about bowling鈥檚 global depth and fascinating history 鈥� it鈥檚 a sleeping giant we鈥檙e ready to awaken.鈥�
With Team OMG owned by Betts already setting the tone, the WBL will soon announce more franchises.