Snowdan (third right), Ong (third left), Lu (second left), Zul (right) and others give the thumbs up for the 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships during the photo-call at Stadium Negeri meeting room yesterday.
KUCHING: Sarawak is honoured to be entrusted with the hosting of the 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships at Megalanes Sarawak, Batu Kawa from April 17 to 25.
They won the bid to host this year’s edition during the 19th edition of the championships in Manila, Philippines in 2017.
This event is sanctioned by the Asian Bowling Federation.
“This is the first time that Sarawak is hosting the prestigious event for U21 bowlers and second for Malaysia since the 8th edition in Kuala Lumpur in 1998,” said Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan after chairing the first organising committee meeting at Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya yesterday.
“So far, 12 countries with an estimated 150 bowlers and officials have registered for the event and we are expecting Brunei and Indonesia to confirm their participation,” he added.
The countries that have registered for the competition are Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
Each country/team shall comprise four boys, four girls and four officials.
Categories to be competed are Boys/Girls singles, doubles, team (of four), all events and masters.
The Malaysian team include Sarawak’s Gillian Lim, two girls and one boy from Sabah while the rest are from Peninsular Malaysia.
“The championships will certainly have economic and social impacts in Sarawak as it will benefit local hospitality industries as well as expose Kuching to potential tourists.
“There will be economic spillover to hotels, transport companies, restaurants and other players in the tourism industry,” added Snowdan.
Meanwhile, Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) vice president Robert Lu said this is the third year that Abas is organising international events in Kuching.
“We are looking forward to organising more international competitions including a world championship in future.
“However it is vital that various government agencies come in to help us run the events smoothly and successfully,” he said.
Also present were Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports sports unit head Zul Yusup and representative Nancy Jolhi, Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee and Megalanes Sarawak managing director Jackie Ting.