[Photos] Somalia’s first bowling club opens in Mogadishu

Until recently, Mogadishu had no recreational facilities, and persistent violence and insecurity kept residents from venturing out for leisure.

The seaside capital has long been the epicentre of violence and bloodshed from the Al-Shabaab terrorists, forcing nearly two million residents indoors.

Now that Mogadishu is experiencing a period of relative peace and tranquillity, that narrative is quickly changing. Recreational facilities and development projects are happening practically every day due to this newfound stability. In sharp contrast with its violent past, the city is currently facing traffic congestion.

Entrepreneurs Abdinasir Dahir Diiriye and his associates are taking advantage of the city's transformation by starting large-scale projects like the first bowling club in Somalia.

Located in the heart of Mogadishu, the million-dollar Feynuus Bowling Club has swiftly emerged as the city's most popular nightlife venue.

Youngsters enjoy a game of bowling at Feynuus Bowling Club, the first of its kind in Somalia, located in the heart of Mogadishu. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)

Lighting up Mogadishu

As its name implies, Feynuus, which translates to "lantern light" in Somali, has been illuminating Mogadishu, with games of bowling, dominoes, cards, pool tables, billiards, a restaurant, and a lovely sports centre where young people go to unwind. It is situated in a peaceful part of the city along the main road to the airport.

The evening bright colours and light bowling game background with its multiple score screens have become a favourite place for young bloggers to go for selfies and shoot their videos.

Diiriye says that after discovering that locals, including some of their restaurant patrons, travel abroad to bowl, the chance to create a bowling centre presented itself.

“Somalia is rising, and its market is still virgin. There are numerous business opportunities with an unlimited demand. When we saw people flying to Nairobi just to go and bowl, we grabbed the opportunity to open the first bowling club in Somalia; that is the story of Feynuus,” Diiriye told the Eastleigh Voice.

Revellers lining up to play pool and billiards at Feynuus Bowling Club, where Mogadishu’s youth gather for fun and relaxation. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)

After months of detailed planning, sourcing equipment from China, and transforming an abandoned garage—complete with landscaping—Feynuus Bowling Club opened in June.

Despite not yet having an official launch, the venue fills up on weekends, with an opening ceremony planned soon, where a prominent public figure is expected to officiate.

Popular sport 

“We now work mostly from the evening to late at night. Our number of clients is increasing because bowling is becoming a popular sport in Mogadishu, and we are getting more and more requests for Feynuus to operate 24 hours,” he added.

Asked why the name Feynuus, Diiriye said it invokes nostalgic memories for residents.

“Mogadishu’s first skyscraper in the sixties was called Feynuus house. I remember as a kid going there to watch movies. This is why we chose the name. This place has cost us more than a million dollars to set it up and we are still sprouting it up as we plan to add more games. Our clientele should soon expect more branches in the city,” he added.

A view of the brightly lit bowling lanes at Feynuus, where multiple screens display scores, creating a lively atmosphere in central Mogadishu. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)

The gaming centre has employed dozens of employees. To guarantee that maintenance and support were available, a Chinese engineer educated a local engineer and fixed the bowling machine. A sophisticated, completely automated machine at the back end manages the system and counts the points.

Revellers speak highly of Feynuus Bowling Club

Hussein Adan Ali, a seventeen-year-old youth, said it’s his favourite hangout place.

“We normally come here to bowl and take photos and video. This place is a cool place. When you come here, you enjoy yourself. This is the first bowling club in Somalia. My message to those saying Mogadishu is insecure is to tell them our city is getting better and better and is peaceful these days. It's open for tourists; they should visit and come to enjoy our all-season warm weather and great country,” young Ali told the Eastleigh Voice.

Pocket-friendly prices 

In Mogadishu, the Feynuus tsunami appears to have swept through both young and elderly, and girls have not been left behind. Seniors play pool and billiards next to the pool tables, both of which have a view of the magnificent, newly constructed, well-lit bowling court.

A restaurant at Feynuus Bowling Club, Somalia's first bowling club. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)

A cosy café ensures that revellers stay refreshed with freshly squeezed juices, cappuccinos, ice cream, and traditional Somali tea. For those looking to dine, the on-site restaurant offers a full menu, making Feynuus Bowling Club a place where visitors can spend hours, entertained by a variety of games for every taste.

Prices are pocket-friendly, attracting a huge number of revellers, especially on weekends. For Somalia, a Muslim country, the weekend starts from Thursday evening to Friday. Work starts from Saturday to Thursday morning.

A bowling game costs Sh743 (USD 5), a pool match goes for Sh297 (USD 2) for 30 minutes and Sh594 (USD 4) for an hour, while a billiards game costs Sh446.19 (USD 3).

Dominoes and cards are free with a drink or food. Buoyed by the improving security, the Feynuus bowling club is slowly becoming a favourite place for families, an increasing trend amongst Mogadishu residents as the city reels from the scars of war and Somalia.

Security is tight, with armed guards 24 hours on-site and on patrol along the busy airport road. The main entrance is bomb-proof to deter any attempts by Al-Shbaab to breach the premises, a common style the terrorists implore in their attacks on hotels.

Feynuus Bowling Club, Somalia's first bowling club. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)

No pain, no gain

Sixteen-year-old Seynab Hassan Ali says Mogadishu is changing and is happy to witness the improving living conditions.

“We come here to wind down and relax. It’s a serene place where people come for games and fun. When we leave Feynuus, we return home stress-free and happy. It’s such a relief for us because such places never used to exist. I am learning how to bowl. It looks like a fun game,” Seynab told the Eastleigh Voice with a beaming smile and clad in Somali flag colours.

The Somalia government has taken the war to Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group that has been terrorising Somalia since 2007. This strategy has provided relief to Mogadishu and major towns where Al-Shabaab used to attack almost daily.

Diiriye, the brains behind Feynuus Bowling Club, calls upon other prospective investors eyeing the growing Somali business market to invest now when opportunities are ample. He states that the Somali market is vast, with demand for goods and services exceeding supply.

“Risky investments are always high paying so investors shouldn’t be discouraged by the bombs and suicide attacks. Amidst these uncertainties lie abundant opportunities and that's where there is money because the riskier the business, the higher the returns. No pain, no gain in life,” he added with a smile.

Feynuus Bowling Club’s security detail ensures a safe environment for visitors, with 24-hour armed guards and a bomb-proof entrance along the airport road. (Photo: Hassan Mohamed)