Bowlers, officials and supporters from eleven Commonwealth countries were welcomed to South Africa by the President of TBASA, Vaughn Williams during a colourful official Opening of the VII Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.
A highlight on the sport’s international calendar, the Championship has previously been staged in Scotland, Cyprus, Australia, Northern Ireland, Malaysia and New Zealand, and this year the Tenpin Bowling Association of South Africa is hosting the event at Northcliff Bowl in Gauteng.
National and international dignitaries attended the Opening, including Commonwealth Games Federation Vice President, Mr. Gideon Sam, senior officials from the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation and the TBASA. The President of the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation, Julian Pace-Bonello, is currently on his way from Malta to Johannesburg after attending NOC meetings in the Middle East, and his Welcome address was delivered by CTBF Secretary General, Lynne Clay.
In a venue decked with the flags of all competing nations, the ceremony included an impressive introduction of teams and individual players competing in this year’s event, accompanied by their respective national anthems, and an entertaining display of traditional and contemporary African dance and music. Tournament Director, Eddie Drewnicki read the Officials’ Oath, and Stacey-Lee Cooper from Team South Africa read the Oath on behalf of the bowlers.
Representing his joint roles of Vice-President of the CGF and President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Mr. Sam gave a rousing, humorous address before officially declaring the Championship open. He was impressed when he witnessed the high levels of skill and the strength of competition in the sport at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and encouraged Bowling to maintain its efforts for readmission to the programme of future Commonwealth Games.
Spectators are welcome at Northcliff Bowl during the week of the Championship, commencing today and admission is free. Full details of the VII Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship and live game scores can be found at the Championship’s official website – www.ctbf2016.com.
