THE SIDELINES : Bowling Dropped at Cuba Games

Ninepin bowling is being dropped from the 1991 Pan-American Games in Cuba because the U.S. government is blocking the supply of bowling equipment, Cuba’s official daily Granma reported today.

Granma quoted one of the game organizers, Conrado Martinez, as saying that international bowling federations had been unable to find a solution to obstacles raised by the U.S. authorities over supply of the equipment.

Loss of the bowling event is the latest problem facing the organizers due to a U.S. economic blockade against Cuba imposed in the early 1960s. The blockade has already stopped the supply of U.S. anti-doping equipment for the games. The organizers are seeking an alternative supplier, possibly Canada.

Planned coverage of the games by ABC television is being blocked by the embargo, but the U.S. network is challenging the restriction in the courts.

Despite the embargo, the United States is expected to field the biggest contingent at the games after Cuba.