19th September, Hong Kong: A glamorous and colourful opening ceremony with the traditional dotting of the lions' eyes held at SCAA Bowling Centre on Monday, marked the start of a week-long Target 24th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships.

The ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah, President of World Bowling and Asian Bowling Federation, Mr Karl C. Kwok, MH, Vice President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Ms Vivien Lau, BBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Tenpin Bowling Congress and Secretary General of World Bowling.

Also present at the opening were Ms Florence Hui Hiu Fai, SBS, JP, Under Secretary for Home Affairs of Home Affairs Bureau, Dr Haywood Cheung, Chairman of Title Sponsor, Target Insurance Company Limited, Hon. Ma Fung Kwok, SBS, JP, Member of the Legislative Council and distinguished representatives of official partners.

Dr Trisha Leahy, BBS, Chief Executive and Dr Raymond So, Director, Elite Training Science & Technology of Hong Kong Sports Institute, representatives of the official hotels, official partners, Executive Committee members of Asian Bowling Federation and delegates to the ABF General Assembly held yesterday.

Among them were countless distinguished guests and consular in Hong Kong of the participating countries and team officials. Mr Eric Lee, emcee for the ceremony, welcome all present and kicked off proceedings by first introducing the guests of honours before announcing the march past of the twenty-four participating countries from Asia.

Speeches started off with the Organizing Chairman, Ms Vivien Lau providing us with a brief history of how Hong Kong first hosted the championships in 1988 at the very same venue and subsequently three more in 2002, 2008 and 2012.

She also expressed sincere appreciation to the Arts & Sports Development Fund of Homg Affairs Bureau and supported by Leisure and Cultural Services Department. But most importantly, HKTBC was most fortunate to have Target Insurance Company Limited as Title Sponsor. Ms Lau also thanked the participating countries for their support in sending their teams.

His Excellency, Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah then addressed the opening by thanking HKTBC for coming forward to taking over the hosting of the championships which was to be hosted by his country, Kuwait. He also added his appreciation to the sponsors and participating countries.

Speeches were also delivered by Ms Florence Hui Hiu Fai and Mr Karl C. Kwok. Thereafter, Hong Kong national team member, Wu Siu Hong and Milki Ng took the oath on behalf of all competitors while head referee, Leung Yuet Ming took the oath on behalf of the tournament officials.

The guests of honour together with Sheikh Talal, Mr Karl C. Kwok, Ms Florence Hui, Dr Haywood Cheung and other distinguished guests were all invited to perform the traditional dotting of the lions' eyes and the tying the "Good Luck" ribbons to mark the official opening.

Mr Karl C. Kwok then declared the championships official opened as the drums rolled to start the lion dance. At the end of the dance, the lions displayed several best wishes banners to wish all participants the best of luck in their quest to win honours for their countries.

The guests, government officials, representatives of sponsors and federations, team officials and players were subsequently invited to a welcome reception, hosted by HKTBC at the Ballroom of Regal Hongkong Hotel.

Twenty-four countries and territories comprising of 135 men, 65 women and 79 team officials from Australia, China, DPR Korea, Egypt, Guam, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and host, Hong Kong.

Teams will compete in Singles, Doubles, Trios, Team of Five, All Events and Masters. There will be a three-hour live broadcast of the Women's and Men's Masters Stepladder finals on Hong Kong NOW TV (Now Sport Station) from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm on Wednesday, September 28.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong.