4th July, Bangkok: Sixty-six boys and forty-one girls from seventeen Asian countries will be vying for glory when the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships gets underway on July 6 at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin, Bangkok.

Team officials from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and host Thailand attended the managers' meeting graced by the Honorary Life President of ABF, Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP., representing Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah, President of ABF.

Also at the head table were members of the Tournament Committee, Dr Danny Santos, Tournament Director, Mr Arun Supaterawet and Mr Mike Seymour, Host Tournament Co-Ordinators and Mr Kristijonas Sergojovas, Technical Delegate from Kegel Inc.

Ten countries have entered full 4 boys and 4 girls teams, Macau and Thailand have 4 boys and 2 girls teams, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have 4 boys teams only while Hong Kong has 4 boys and 1 girl and Oman 2 boys team.

Dr Santos kicked off the meeting with a roll call before going through the technical aspects of the championships which included rules and regulations, lane draws and the tournament schedule.

Mr Sergojovas outlined the oiling pattern used for the championships including rules on ball registrations and its submissions. Several countries submitted changes to the entries made before the meeting while some had minor spelling changes of their players.

An official opening ceremony will be held on July 5 at 10.00am local time at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, Ratchayothin, Bangkok attended by numerous government dignitaries and sponsors. This will be followed by a welcome reception hosted by Thai Tenpin Bowling Association. Official practice sessions, divided into two squads will be held after the opening ceremony.

Competition will kick off with the Singles on July 6 and 7 over three squads. The Doubles on July 7 and 8 over three squads. Team events of two blocks of 3 games each will be staged on July 9 and 10. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls based on the total pinfalls from the three events will qualify for the Masters Finals to be contested over two blocks of 8 games on July 11 and 12.