International bowlers are continuing to arrive in Hong Kong over the next two days to prepare for their challenges to the titles at this year’s Hong Kong International Bowls Classic.
A total of 64 men and 64 women will begin their journey in the singles competitions this Saturday, Nov 9.
In addition to elite local Hong Kong players, participants also include top bowlers from 12 of the world’s strongest bowling nations, including Australia, Canada, China, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand and Wales.
Last year, Barrie Lester and Matthew Baus from Australia made Classic history when both men got into the Final of the Singles and won the Pairs.
Lester will play at United Services Recreation Club for the preliminary rounds, with the first game against Chau Wing Hon of Club de Recreio. He may face Dan Delany from New Zealand if he gets through to the second round.
Meanwhile, Baus will play Andy Woo from Seabird Sports Club at Club de Recreio. Should he go through to the next round, he will face the winner between Chinese international Ye Sui Ying and Wales’ Andrew Hopkins.
Another notable first round match sees World No.6 James Talbot from Ireland play Hong Kong Youth Team member Arthur Lam at USRC.
For the women’s competition, defending champion Sandy Hazell from England will play Hong Kong international Elizabeth Cormack at Kowloon Cricket Club. Cormack, who just represented Hong Kong at the Asia Pacific Merdeka Indoor in Malaysia and finished fifth, will be boosted by the home green advantage.
Last year’s runners-up, ex-HK international Camilla Leung, will play Singaporean Li Li Leng in the first game. Leung, who helped Hong Kong Football Club to a record-breaking seven consecutive title in the Premier League, said that she only started to focus on the Classic after the final league game last Saturday (Nov 2).
“Until last weekend, the league match is more important, but I have switched my focus to the Classic now,” said Leung. “I am confident and hope I can complete the final step, which I missed out on last year.”
Another strong competitor is World No.4 Val Smith from New Zealand. She will play Hong Kong’s reigning National Singles champion Anna Chan in the first round.
The first three rounds of the women’s games will be played at KCC and KBGC.
The Event Format
The singles is a knockout competition that will be played at the Kowloon Bowling Green Club, Club de Recreio and United Services Recreation Club on Nov 9-10, with the finals being held at the Kowloon Bowling Green Club in the afternoon of Nov 10.
The 64 competitors include overseas bowlers and Hong Kong’s top bowlers comprising winners of national singles events and qualifiers from local clubs.
After the conclusion of the singles, the seven-day pairs competition will commence on Monday (Nov 11).
The 24 teams of each gender will be divided into two groups to play out a round robin competition. The top team from each group will enter the Semi-finals directly, while the second and third place will meet in a play-off to fight for places in the Semi-finals. The round robin will be played at Kowloon Bowling Green Club, Club de Recreio and Kowloon Cricket Club, while the Final will be played at KBGC on Nov 17.
First organised in 1981, the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic is recognised as one of the best outdoor bowls tournaments in the world. Over the years, famous bowlers from all leading bowling countries have participated in the event. Hong Kong has won the pairs title on five occasions, with the last triumph in 2007. In the singles, Hong Kong players George Souza Jnr and Noel Kennedy won their titles in 1984 and 1994 respectively.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
