20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships declared open
07/04/08
The 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships got underway this morning at the state-of-the-art Hong Kong Bowling City at EMax in Hong Kong, China.
The Opening Ceremony was conducted in a style all the players and coaches and most of the officials prefer: short and sweet, but really beautiful thanks to the Hong Kong Lion Dancers.
In front of more than 250 bowlers and officials from 19 countries, the Opening Ceremony started at 11.15 am with the official march-past of the participating countries and the national anthem of Hong Kong, China.
The players, coaches, officials and guest were welcomed by Mrs. Vivien Fung, chairman of the Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress, who is hosting the event subvented by the Home Affairs Bureau (Arts and Sport Development Fund).
Also addressing the ceremony were Sheikh Talal M. Al Sabah from Kuwait, President of the Asian Bowling Federation, Kevin Dornberger from the United States, President of the World Tenpin Bowling Association and the "Guest of Honor" Mr. Victor Hui (pictured right), SBS, JP, Chairman of Elite Sports Committee under the Sports Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Sports Commission and Vice President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
The athletes' and officials' oath was taken by Hong Kong top players Vanessa Fung and Wu Siu Hong (left) and Tournament Coordinator Willie Cheung.
Hui, Dornberger and Talal then performed the "eye-dotting ceremony" for the lion dance and after which Mr. Hui declared the 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships open and the lions danced.
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion dance is common during Chinese New Year but also popular for opening of businesses in Hong Kong.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
After a big round of applause by the attendees, Sheikh Talal presented a souvenir to the Guest of Honor and the teams marched out.
All attendees were invited to the Welcome Reception at Xi-Shan Restaurant on the third floor of the huge EMax building.
While the players, coaches, officials and guest enjoyed their lunch, Team USA member and Kegel lane man John Janawicz prepared lanes 5-48 for the official practice which started at 2.pm.
The real action will start on Saturday morning July 5, with the women's Singles event (one squad) at 8 am and the men's Singles (two squads) at 1.30 pm.
The 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships will run through July 11, 2008 at Hong Kong Bowling City, EMax, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, China. It marks the third time that Hong Kong is hosting the prestigious event after 1988 and 2002.
The biennial event has drawn over 250 bowlers and officials from 19 countries and territories to Hong Kong, including China, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, Egypt, Guam, India, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau,; Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Saipan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
A total of 168 bowlers - 107 men and 61 women - will compete in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team of Five, All Events and Masters for gold, silver and bronze medals in the men's and women's division respectively.
2008 Asian Championships
First champions to be crowned on Saturday
The 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships got underway this morning at the state-of-the-art Hong Kong Bowling City at EMax in Hong Kong, China. The Opening Ceremony was conducted in a style all the players and coaches and most of the officials prefer: short and sweet, but really beautiful thanks to the Hong Kong Lion Dancers.
In front of more than 250 bowlers and officials from 19 countries, the Opening Ceremony started at 11.15 am with the official march-past of the participating countries and the national anthem of Hong Kong, China.
The players, coaches, officials and guest were welcomed by Mrs. Vivien Fung, chairman of the Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress, who is hosting the event subvented by the Home Affairs Bureau (Arts and Sport Development Fund).
Also addressing the ceremony were Sheikh Talal M. Al Sabah from Kuwait, President of the Asian Bowling Federation, Kevin Dornberger from the United States, President of the World Tenpin Bowling Association and the "Guest of Honor" Mr. Victor Hui (pictured right), SBS, JP, Chairman of Elite Sports Committee under the Sports Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Sports Commission and Vice President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. The athletes' and officials' oath was taken by Hong Kong top players Vanessa Fung and Wu Siu Hong (left) and Tournament Coordinator Willie Cheung. 
Hui, Dornberger and Talal then performed the "eye-dotting ceremony" for the lion dance and after which Mr. Hui declared the 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships open and the lions danced. 
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion dance is common during Chinese New Year but also popular for opening of businesses in Hong Kong. Click on the image to enlarge it.
After a big round of applause by the attendees, Sheikh Talal presented a souvenir to the Guest of Honor and the teams marched out.
All attendees were invited to the Welcome Reception at Xi-Shan Restaurant on the third floor of the huge EMax building.
While the players, coaches, officials and guest enjoyed their lunch, Team USA member and Kegel lane man John Janawicz prepared lanes 5-48 for the official practice which started at 2.pm.
The real action will start on Saturday morning July 5, with the women's Singles event (one squad) at 8 am and the men's Singles (two squads) at 1.30 pm.
The 20th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships will run through July 11, 2008 at Hong Kong Bowling City, EMax, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, China. It marks the third time that Hong Kong is hosting the prestigious event after 1988 and 2002.
The biennial event has drawn over 250 bowlers and officials from 19 countries and territories to Hong Kong, including China, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, Egypt, Guam, India, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau,; Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Saipan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
A total of 168 bowlers - 107 men and 61 women - will compete in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team of Five, All Events and Masters for gold, silver and bronze medals in the men's and women's division respectively.