ASIANS IMPRESSED BY TRADITIONAL THAI CEREMONY
A truly impressive opening ceremony for the 18th Asian
Championships at the PS Bowl in Bangkapi, Bangkok featured a parade of all
players against a backdrop of traditional Thai dancers, a host of local children
and a very musical local marching band.
 A warm
welcome was extended to this charming ‘Land of Smiles’ by several speakers,
including His Excellency Sontaya Kunplome, the Minister of Tourism and Sport,
who extended his best wishes for a successful championships to both the Thai
Tenpin Bowling Congress and all competitors, adding that he also hoped that they
would enjoy their time in Thailand and be able to take in as many sights as time
permits.
Opening the short session of speeches, Heikki Sarso,
President of WTBA, said, “I’d like to thank the Thai Tenpin Bowling Congress for
their hospitality and wish the Championships much success. Bowling is improving
and developing and the WTBA will take care of it as it increases. We are now
developing so that we meet the criteria of the International Olympic Committee.”
Mrs. Vivien Fung, JP, President of the Asian Bowling
Federation (ABF), added, “This is the largest
Asian Championships ever and we are all grateful for the Thai Tenpin Bowling
Congress for their spirit in organizing the event in just ten months. I would
also like to thank Sheik Talal, the incoming ABF President, for making me the
Honorary Life President of the ABF. I look forward to working with him for the
betterment of our sport.”
The ceremony concluded with several large groups
demonstrating traditional Thai dances, spread across the bowling center’s 40
lanes.
Those lanes will be full of bowlers Sunday morning as the
practice sessions begin and then the competition proper starts on Monday morning
with the first block of ladies’ singles.
Top picture shows Heikki Sarso, WTBA President; Mrs.
Vivien Fung, JP, ABF President; His Excellency Sontaya Kunplome, Minister of
Tourism and Sport and Sheik Talal, newly-elected ABF President at the opening
ceremony.
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For further information, contact Keith Hale: keithhale679@aol.com |
