29th April, Kuwait City: Last year's champion, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia successfully retained the ABF Tour Kuwait 2008 leg title after he defeated challenger, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE, 217-204 in the final match at Cozmo Bowling Centre.

The Indonesia ousted newly-crowned Kuwait International Open champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia, 222-208 in the first semi-final while the runner-up, Hussain edged 2006 World Ranking Masters champion, Khaled Al-Dubyyan of Kuwait, 207-204 to reach the finals.

Fourth-seed, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia started nervously and failing to make a spare in his opening frame in the title match against challenger, Hussain Al-Suwaidi of UAE. But the Indonesian rebounded by four strikes-in-a-row from frame 3 onwards to take a 11 pin lead over his opponent.

A split from Hussain in the sixth frame gave Lalisang some breathing space and disaster struck again for the Emirati missing pin 10 in frame 8. Despite striking out from frame 9, Lalisang was able to take the title with 217 over Hussain's 204.

"I've met Jason (Belmonte) many times and I've beaten him a few times. So I wasn't under any pressure," said the 24-year-old Asian Champion. "Once I reached the finals I knew I've got a chance to retain the title," added the champion, who socred a rare double winning last year's Kuwait Open and the ABF Tour Kuwait leg.

"Hussain is not an easy opponent as he has bowled well the whole week. This victory made up for the disappointment in the Kuwait Open finals yesterday. But I dedicate this win to my dad, who passed away three weeks ago.

Lalisang sailed through by taking out Yaqoub Al-Shati of Kuwait in Round 1, 215-207 and Qatari Mansour Al-Awami, 248-209 in Round 2. Hussain

knocked out two Kuwaitis, first 14-year-old Mohamad Khaled, 202-195 and then Mohamad Al-Rejibah, 191-176 in the second round.

The ABF Tour Kuwait leg was telecast LIVE over Kuwait TV and the highlights will be televised later on local television stations of the eight countries where the tour is being held. The next stop will be the Hong Kong leg on June 8.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.