The Vietnam Open Bowling Championship 2006 will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from June 24 to July 8 with the participation of almost 200 players, the organizing committee announced on June 22.
About 100 Vietnamese and 98 foreign bowlers will compete in the two-week tournament at Saigon Superbowl Center near Tan Son Nhat Airport, said Mr. Nguyen Van Hao, chief of the committee and deputy general director of Saigon Superbowl.
“The foreign bowlers come from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and the US. Australia and South Korea will be taking part for the first time,” he said.
Like in the previous tournament, this year’s bowlers will compete in the Singles, Doubles, Trios, All Events, and Masters – for both male and female players.
The qualifying round will be from June 24 to 30 and the Masters Event will be on July 7-8, for those who have completed the Singles, Doubles, and Trios with the best results.
According to the organizing committee, Vietnamese bowlers come from only Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Among the male players will be six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines; the US’s Purvis Granger, coach of Hong Kong team in 1998-2000 and master champion of Vivia Asian Bowling Tour 2002 in the Philippines; and 2005 SEA Games champion Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia.
This fourth Vietnam Open Bowling Championship is part of the Asian and world ten-pin ranking master tournaments, promises to be a big event, said the organizers. All prizes are worth US$40,000. Saigon Superbowl will have no admission charge for spectators. The tournament’s main sponsor is Coca Cola.
