22nd March, K.Lumpur: In a promotional Kaohsiung World Games Challenge mixed-doubles match held at the Sunway Mega Lanes on Sunday, Taiwan's pair of Hsiao Chun-Ho and Wang Yu-Ling won by defeating Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkfili and Shalin Zulkifli, 393-374.

The 2009 World Games, scheduled to be held in Kaohsiung from 16 to 26 July, 2009 in which the sport of tenpin bowling will be staged from 20 to 22 July. The World Games, first held in 1981, is an international multi-sports event meant for sports that are not included in the Olympic Games.

Two-time World Bowler of the Year and World Gold medalist, Shalin ZUlkifli teamed up with newly-crowned Canon 32nd Malaysian International Open played a mixed-doubles challenge against the Taiwanese ambassador team of Wang Yu-Ling and Hsiao Chun-Ho after the Canon Cup 2009 ended.

Although Shalin and Zulmazran lost the match, the Malaysian duo did take home US$1,500 (RM5,460) while the Taiwanese pair pocketed US$3,500 (RM12,750) for their effort. The match was watched by a capacity crowd at the bowling centre in Sunway Pyramid and will be telecast by ESPN on March 20 to over 80 million viewers worldwide.

The build up to the World Games Challenge began a few days after the Canon 32nd Malaysian International Open which began on March 13. Throughout the tournament, a total crowd in excess of 20,000 turned up daily to witness the championship and were informed of the World Games via promotional backdrops, banners and information counters set up.

Kaohsiung organising committee managing director, Ms Shyh Fang Liu said during a press conference that a total of 83 countries have so far confirmed their entries for the eighth edition of the World Games.

A total of 31 sports will be contested in which Malaysia is expected to compete in bowling, karate, billiards, gymnastics, body building,

squash, rugby and wushu. Ms Shyh added that facilities in Kaohsiung, including the 40,000 capacity main stadium, are 100 per cent ready for the Games.

Held once held every four years, the World Games is the biggest international multi-sports games, only second to the Olympics, and is the platform for athletes to compete for the highest accolade in their field.

With 31 sports over 11 days, Kaohsiung has been given the honour to host the Games and to cater to the needs of more than 5,000 athletes and officials from more than 80 countries. For more information on the Games, please visit www.worldgames2009.tw.

Photos by Terence Yaw.