ABF TOUR
Pyramid Megalanes, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
March 27-28, 2004

The Asian Bowling Federation is introducing the the inaugural ABF Tour on March 27-28, immediately following the 27th Malaysian Open at the Sunway Pyramid Megalanes, Petaling Jaya.

The top 16 men and 16 women eligible Asian-based finishers of the Malaysian Open Masters finals will be qualify for this first leg. The format of play will be a knock-out system from round one through to the quarter finals, semi finals and finals matches to determine the champion in each division. At the same time, the finalists will be able to earn ranking points towards the Tour of Champions in January, 2005, at a venue yet to be selected.

"Since its inception 25 years ago, ABF has been at the leading edge of marketing initiatives and promotion of our sport." said Asian Bowling Federation President, Mrs. Vivien Fung, JP. "We've had a very successful association with the Asian Bowling Tour for the past six years and will now produce our own Tour - we're confident that this exciting new development will lift the sport to even greater heights.

"The ABF has appointed TND Marketing Limited to work with us in implementing a centralized marketing program and we'll soon be announcing further details of corporate and media connections for our new Tour," she added.

The ABF Tour will comprise six Legs and a Grand Final, the Tournament of Champions. Each leg will be staged over two competition days and will offer total prize money of US$25,000. The top 16 men and 16 women bowlers from the preceding International Open Masters Event (Open Grade) will compete in a one-game match play knock-out competition for the individual men's and women's titles.

The Tournament of Champions will be staged over four competition days and will feature prize money totaling US$75,000. The top 16 men and 16 women bowlers (based on ABF Tour ranking points), plus two additional wildcard entries from the West Asia region (thus totaling 18 men in the men's division), will qualify to compete over four rounds of competition for the coveted men's and women's ABF Tour Champion titles.

"As the only tenpin bowling tour in Asia to confer Asian ranking points, the ABF Tour will attract the very best bowlers throughout the Asian region arousing interest and enthusiasm from participants and spectators alike," said Mrs. Fung.

Bowlers Journal's Keith Hale is on site and will be providing live reports and pictures throughout the event.

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