Mohammed Ayub Qureshi, the Glasgow curry restaurateur known as 'Chico', is set to face Australia's top lawn bowlers at the Commonwealth Games. He has already extended a dinner invitation to his opponents, win or lose, but with a spicy twist. 'If we lose, they are still invited to the restaurant, but I will probably give them a spicy vindaloo as revenge,' Qureshi said with a smile.
Qureshi and Khan take on Australia's best
On Wednesday, Qureshi and his teammate Maqsood Waseem Khan will compete against Australia's Corey Wedlock and Aaron Teys. Wedlock is a three-time world champion from the 2023 World Outdoor Championships, and Australia leads the medal table with over 60 medals overall. Qureshi expressed excitement: 'I feel excited to be playing with the best. Hopefully we'll learn something and we'll take something home. The experience, I mean, these guys, are the creme de la creme.'
Khan, secretary of the Pakistan Lawn Bowls Federation, acknowledged the challenge: 'These guys are serious so we know we have to be as well.'
Different paths to lawn bowls
Qureshi has lived in Glasgow for decades, while Khan is based in Pakistan, training in Faisalabad or Lahore before flying in for competitions. 'We make it work, it is not that difficult,' Khan said. Their journeys into bowls were vastly different. Qureshi started nearly 30 years ago through a business relationship with his bank manager, who was a bowler. He began sponsoring his local club, the Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club, with three-course meals, trophies, and prizes, and eventually joined and played.
Khan's introduction required more improvisation. 'I was impressed by the bowls but I couldn't buy bowling balls in Pakistan. They never even heard of the sport. I got the balls to be made out of wood,' he said.
Promoting bowls in Pakistan
While cricket dominates Pakistan's sporting culture, bowls is still fighting for recognition. Khan is dedicated to changing that. 'I train young people in Faisalabad and in Lahore. Mostly young people are interested in bowls in Pakistan now. Pakistan is known for their love of cricket. Bowls is a sport of luxury. But I try to help them financially and try to get them interested. I am trying to create an academy which can provide easy access. Pakistan is my home and I want to bring my love there,' he said.
Balancing restaurant and sport
Qureshi, born in Multan, has lived in Glasgow for over 50 years. He represents Pakistan but is cheered on by Scottish clubmates, customers, and friends. 'My indoor club and the outdoor club and my customers, they all come and support me. I see them in the crowd and sometimes I will give them a free poppadom in return,' he joked.
Running a successful restaurant while competing internationally is demanding, but Qureshi finds they complement each other. 'Running a restaurant for 30 years, you get adjusted to it, you find a good staff who would cover you. Being a restaurateur gives me an income. Being an athlete gets you away from the public in a sense. You go on the green, relaxed, and just play balls at your leisure.'
He added: 'Stressful days would be against the big teams. Like tomorrow. Your mind is always wondering what to do, what shot to play, all that sort of stuff. I mean, we're kind of part-time club players becoming internationalists. It's an amazing feeling. It's a feeling you can't describe.'
