First Asian Para Tenpin Bowling Championships Unveiled in HK

The first Asian Para Tenpin Bowling Championships is being held at Belair Bowling Center in Shatin from 26 to 31 May. The event was co-organized by the Asian Bowling Federation and the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, sponsored by the Arts and Sports Development Fund of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau as well as supported by the Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Participating countries and regions include China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The opening ceremony was held in the evening on 27 May. Mrs Fung Ma Kit-han, President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, mentioned in her speech that after three years of pandemic, Hong Kong could finally host an Asian Paralympic sports competition, which not only allowed athletes from all over the world to showcase their talents, but also brought together old and new acquaintances.

Another officiating guest Vincent Liu Ming-kwong, the Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, said the hosting of this championship clearly demonstrated Hong Kong’s ability to organize top-notch events and its prominent status as a hub for major international sports events.

Dr. John Leung Lai-yin, Chairman of another organizer Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, hoped that this competition would serve as a model for future sports events for the physically disabled and allow disabled athletes to gain recognition.

Vivien Lau Chiang-chu, Honorary Life President of the Asian Bowling Federation, said that she was very experienced in and familiar with organizing large-scale events in the past, but this event was a new attempt for her, from which she had gained a lot of knowledge about sports for the physically disabled.
Lau found the athletes with disabilities admirable as they overcame all difficulties with perseverance and achieved excellent results. With the capability and experiences of the local sports industry in sports event organization, the support of the government as well as the opening of the bowling track at Kai Tak Sports Park next year, she believed that bowling competitions organized by Hong Kong would be more remarkable than those by other cities.

Dr. John Leung Lai-yin, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, said that even though the preparation time for this event was short, the event was held smoothly thanks to the excellent performance of the organizers and the funding support from the government and sponsoring organizations.

Dr. Leung also pointed out that though bowling was not an event in the Paralympic Games, while the Asian Para Games was also not held every year, the Association had not been hindered from promoting its development according to athletes’ interests. He hoped this competition could provide a favourable environment for players from all over the world to play to their strengths; and that Hong Kong athletes could strive for good results with home advantage.

Hong Kong has sent a total of 16 athletes to participate in this competition. Among them, visually impaired athlete Cheung Hoi-tung noted that competing in a familiar city allowed him to quickly adapt to the environment and confidently compete for medals. Wong Mei-lan, who turned from a track and field athlete to a bowler and won a silver medal in the 2018 Asian Para Games, will meet again the then gold medalist in this event. She stated that she would concentrate on every single strike with a peaceful mind, hoping to successfully win a gold medal this time.

Access the latest competition results and live video streaming at https://shorturl.at/adrsU