10th October, Jakarta: Jaya Ancol Bowl had a great start to their sponsorship of the ABF Tour Indonesia leg when Putty Armein of Indonesia, captured the women's crown defeating fellow-countrywoman, Novie Phang, 193-187.

Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE, took home the top prize of US$5,000 and the title after he narrowly defeated Hong Kong's Wu Siu Hong, 238-236 in the men's division.

ABF Tour debutant, Novie Phang could not have asked for a better start to her road to glory when she knocked out sole Malaysian survivor, Lai Kin Ngoh, 236-204 in the first women's semifinal match to make the finals.

And to the delight of a packed crowd present at the 60-lane Jaya Ancol Bowl, Indonesia's Putty Armein got the supporters on their feet when she outclassed 2003 Singapore Open champion, Evelyn Chan, 246-216 making the finals an all-Indonesia affair.

The final glory eventually came to 23-year-old Indonesian national bowler, Putty Armein after she edged her less-experienced opponent, Novie Phang, 193-187 to win her first major international title. Putty, who started bowling at the age of 13, was somewhat fortunate that a miss in the ninth frame by Phang turned the table in her favor.

Phang settled for US$1,300 for finishing second while the champion, Armein won US$2,500. The two loosing semifinalists, Evelyn Chan and Lai Kin Ngoh won US$800 each. Prizes were awarded for the first time in the ABF Tour Indonesia leg after Jaya Ancol Bowl signed up as the major sponsor of this penultimate leg.

Meanwhile, Shaker Al-Hassan of UAE took home the top prize of US$5,000 and the title after he edged his opponent, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong in a nail-biting finale. The champion opened the account with four strikes-in-a-row to take an early lead. Wu responded by knocking down five-in-a-row to within 1 pin in the 8th frame. Another strike in the 9th and foundation frame sealed the game for Al-Hassan after Wu could only spare home for 236 to the champion's 238.

The champion reached the finals after he ousted Singapore's Remy Ong by the narrowest of margin, 248-247 in the first semifinal match. Wu outclassed his opponent, Joonee Gatchalian of the Philippines, 248-226 to set up the match with Al-Hassan.

The runner-up settled for US$2,300 for finishing second while the loosing semifinalists, Remy Ong and Joonee Gatchalian received US$1,000 each. With the fifth leg successfully concluded, the Tour will move to the final leg in Hong Kong in November 27 - 28, 2004.

The ABF Tour comprises 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.

The ABF Tour - Indonesia will be shown on local television stations of the six countries where the tour is being held. It is also broadcast later from parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, China and Australasia with an estimated audience of around 90 million. Please check local TV listings for viewing times.

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.