After a successful International Open, Jakarta is poised for another stellar event in Jaya Ancol Bowling Center where the top 16 men and women Asian bowlers from the event compete for the No.1 spot in the ABF Tour Jakarta Leg. Bowlers play for a total prize money of US$17,000, as well as ranking points which will determine players’ positions in the Asian Rankings.

Local hero Putty Armein (pictured) bowed out in the Open finals to Zara Glover from England but enters the ABF Leg as top seed. She faces Zandra Aziela from Malaysia. The Indonesian women have two other contenders in the form of third-seed Novie Phang and Sheanny G.

Five countries are represented in the women’s division. Leading the way are the Malaysian women, consisting of Zandra Aziela, Wendy Chai, fourth-seed Lai Kin Ngoh, Siti Safiyah and Choy Poh Lai. The other country to have an excellent showing in the women’s event is the Philippines, with a four person showing consisting of second-seed Liza Del Rosario, Liza Clutario, Irene Benitez, Cecilia Yap and Cheche Abrantes. Del Rosario comes off a disappointing defeat in the stepladder finals of the Open tournament when she bowed out to Putty Armein with only a one pin deficit, 187-188. The other two remaining contenders are Angkana Netvriseth from Thailand and Jasmine Yeong Nathan representing Singapore.

Alex Liew of Malaysia made yet another magnificent win in the Jakarta Open following his victories in the ABF Qatar Leg and the 4^th Kingdom of Bahrain Open. He leads the way in tomorrow’s event alongside national teammates Azidi Ameran and Daniel Lim.

 The Indonesian men, fourth-seed Yuyu, Ryan Lalisang and David Sitorus have to do well against bowlers from a slew of countries if they are to keep the trophies in Indonesia. Some notable bowlers in the men’s division include Ahmed Shaheen from Qatar, Chester King from the Philippines, Remy Ong from Singapore, Yang Tae Bum from Korea, Wu Siu Hong from Hong Kong and of course Alex Liew from Malaysia. With also good representation from the West Asian countries, the total number of countries in contention rises to 9. With such varied representation in the men’s division, it is anybody’s guess which country will take the No.1 title.

ABF Tour is organized by Asian Bowling Federation in association with Qatar Bowling Federation, Kuwait Bowling Federation, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress, Thai Tenpin Bowling Congress, Philippine Bowling Congress, Indonesia Bowling Congress, Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress and Singapore Tenpin Bowling Congress.

By: Fong Min Yuan of Asian Bowling Digest

 For further information, contact Keith Hale: keithhale679@aol.com