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2025 IBF World Cup

2025 IBF World Cup officially opens

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6th January, Hong Kong, China: The second edition of the 2025 IBF World Cup Bowling Championship was officially declared opened by His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah, President of IBF and ABF, graced by Honorable Ms Rosanna Law Shuk Pui, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism at Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon.

The opening ceremony was also graced by Mr Timothy T.T. Fok, GBM, GBS, JP., Honorary IOC Member and President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP., Organising Chairman and Chairman of Hong Kong China Tenpin Bowling Congress, Mr Wilfred Ng, GBC, MH., JP., Chairman, Major Sports Events Committee.

Also present were Miss Winnie Chui Hiu Lo, JP., Deputy Director of Leisure & Culture Services (Leisure Services), Mr Chew Fook-Aun, Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Sports Institute, and the Honorable Kenneth K.K. Fok, JP., Legislative Councillor.

Other dignitaries were Mr George Tsoi Kin Pan, Commissioner for Sports, Professor Patrick Yung Shu-Hang, MH., JP., Chairman, Community Sports Committee, Mr Michael Seymour, CEO of IBF and Tournament Director, and many representatives from embassies and various sponsors, supporting partners, ABF Executive Board Members and distinguished guests and team officials.

Teams from twenty-six countries and territories parade at the opening

Mr Eric Lee and Ms Leong Nai Kan emcees for the ceremony welcomed all present and kicked off proceedings by introducing the guests of honours, dignitaries and several notable distinguished guests before announcing the march past of the 26 participating countries and territories, starting with Australia and ending with host, Hong Kong, China.

Speeches proceeded the teams parade first by Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP., Organising Chairman and Chairman of HKCTBC where she thanked the guests of honours, generous sponsors and supporting partners for their support of this championship.

She also expressed sincere gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Talal, President of IBF and ABF for awarding the prestigious IBF World Cup to HKCTBC and the Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hong Kong and other sports institutes and sports committees for their support.

His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah, in his speech said he is confident the HKCTBC will do and excellent job in hosting this event and that participants and team officials will be well taken off by her experienced staff and volunteers.

Ms Rosanna Law Shuk Pui, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism followed up with her speech during which she reiterated that Hong Kong has always been a perfect country to host world-renowned and prestigious championships and that her department has been a staunch supporter of such events.

She was also pleased to see that the 2025 IBF World Cup has been designated as an "M Mark" by the Major Sports Events Committee and is part of the Hong Kong Government-Funded Programme. She added that the newly-opened Top Bowl is an ideal venue especially being located at Kai Tak Sports Park.

His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah delivering his speech at the opening

Mr Wu Siu Hong, a member of the Hong Kong National Team, took the athlete oath on behalf of all participants while Mr Michael Seymour, CEO of IBF and Tournament Director, took the official oath. The guests of honour and dignitaries were then invited to perform the traditional dotting of the lions' eyes and tying the "Good Luck" ribbons to mark the ceremony.

This was followed by the lion dance and thereafter, His Excellency Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah officially declared the championship opened. One hundred men and 52 women from twenty-six countries and territories will be vying for glory in the week to follow.

Official practice sessions were held earlier today before the opening ceremony held at Top Bowl this evening. Competition will kick off with the Singles qualifying rounds on Tuesday, 7th January and will end with the Teams Semi-finals and Final on 14th January to be held at two specially erected pair of lanes at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong. A victory banquet, hosted by HKCTBC at Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel at 7.30 pm.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.

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