26th August, Jakarta: 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 bowed out in the Open finals to Zara Glover from England but enters the ABF Leg as top seed tomorrow. She faces Zandra Aziela form 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 4th 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.

The ABF Tour comprise six Legs and a Grand Final, the Tournament of Champions. Each Leg will be staged over two competition days where 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 where 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 totalling 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.

Highlights of the leg will be shown in the six countries where the tour are being held. It will also be broadcast later in other parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, China and Australasia with an estimated audience of around 75 million.

For further information and details please contact ABF Tour Committee Marketing and Event Management Division at Tel: (852) 2810 5191; Fax: (852) 28105192; Mr. Ritchie Lai (Mobile: (852) 93598669; email: ritchie.lai@tndgroup.com) or Mr. Kelvin Pong (Mobile: (852) 9100 0958; email: Kelvin.pong@tndgroup.com).