16th February, Kuwait: President of International Bowling Federation and incumbent, Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah of Kuwait was re-elected as President of Asian Bowling Federation for a fifth four-year term unchallenged at the 26th ABF General Assembly over a Zoom conference on Monday.
For the fourth consecutive general assembly held under the leadership of Sheikh Talal, the 26th General Assembly, held over a Zoom conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic, went smoothly without any major issues raised. The President of Kuwait Bowling Federation was returned as president for a fifth four-year term.
After the opening address by Sheikh Talal, a roll call was made and 26 federations out of 33 invited, attended the Zoom conference. They were Afghanistan, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Sheikh Talal re-elected President for fifth term
After adopting the minutes of the 25th General Assembly, the President's report which was sent to all members prior to the meeting, received no comments and was duly adopted. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, all championships and tournaments in the Zone have been cancelled or postponed to 2021 or 2022.
The President also announced that Bowling Federation of Africa and Oceanic Bowling Federation have been formed in 2019 hence federations under these two Zones did not attend this meeting. The Financial and Auditor's report, which has been sent out to all federations was also adaopted.
Cambodia has applied for World Bowling (now called IBF) membership and has been granted provisional membership. Cambodia will be a new member under Asian Zone. The President's proposal that there should not be a change in membership fees due to the present economic situation, was unanimously adaopted.
As mentioned in the President's report, since the formation of the African and Oceania Zone, there will no longer be a Vice-President for the Oceania Region. Three nominations were received for Vice-Presidents for Far East Region, South East Region and Western Region.
Incumbent, Mr Choi Jang-Kyu of Korea Bowling Association was re-elected as Vice-President for Far East Region, incumbent Mrs Suwalai Satrulee of Thai Tenpin Bowling Association was re-elected as Vice-President for South East Region while incumbent, HRH Prince Abdulhakim Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Bowling Federation was re-elected as Vice-President for Western Region.
Five nominations were received for Executive Committee Members and were duly elected ipso facto. Mr Bandar Al-Shafi (incumbent, Qatar Bowling Federation), Mr Ma Chi Seng (incumbent, Macao-China Bowling Association), Mr Makhmut Iskhakov (Kazakhstan Pin Sport Federation), Mr Kanan Ramachandran (Tenpin Bowling Federation, India) and Mr Steve Robles (Philippine Bowling Federation).
The President proposed that Mr Winston Chan of Macao-China Bowling Association continue to serve as Honorary Auditor for another term of four years which was duly adopted.
The Executive Committee will review reports for 6th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games, March 10 to 20, 2022 (Bangkok, Thailand), 26th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships, January 2022 (to be confirmed, Hong Kong, China), 21st Asian Junior (School) Tenpin Bowling Championships, July 24 to 31, 2021 (Bangkok, Thailand), 27th Asian Tenpin Bowling Champions (Bangkok, Thailand) and 27th ABF General Assembly 2022 (Hong Kong, China).
The board will also appoint host organization for the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships 2021 which may have to be postponed to 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese Bowling Association and Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress have expressed their interest in hosting the championships and that their proposal should be received by the Secretariat before March 31, 2021.
There being no other matters, the general assembly ended. The 27th General Assembly (non eletion year) will be held during the 27th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Hong Kong, China in 2022.
Photos by Terence Yaw.
