KUCHING: The seventh Sarawak International Open Tenpin Bowling Championship (SIOTBC) is set to be one of the largest ever staged in Borneo, offering more than RM160,000 in cash prizes and attracting over 400 participants from Malaysia and abroad.
Scheduled from Sept 8 to 13, the tournament will gather both seasoned bowlers and emerging talents, said Minister of Youth, Sports and Talent Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
International participants have confirmed from 10 countries — Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, and the United States.
From Malaysia, bowlers from the Federal Territory, Penang, Johor, Selangor, Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu, Sabah, and Pahang will compete alongside Sarawak’s own athletes.
“With participants from multiple countries and states, SIOTBC not only raises the standard of bowling in Sarawak but also delivers a positive boost to the local economy,” Abdul Karim said at the SIOTBC press conference on Wednesday at Baitulmakmur II.
He added that nine states have confirmed entries, making the championship a prime opportunity for new talents to gain exposure ahead of next year’s Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor.
“Bowlers preparing for Selangor need exposure through tournaments like this. We cannot simply train locally and send them to nationals without knowing their level compared to others,” he said.
Abdul Karim also commended the Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) for its continuous efforts to elevate the sport.
Organised by ABAS in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and the Sarawak Sports Corporation, SIOTBC will feature three main events — 3DU Master, Classified Master, and SABATI Cup.
ABAS president Sunny Si Poh Heng said 365 entries had been received as of yesterday, with numbers expected to rise to around 450 before the tournament begins. He also revealed that a new bowling facility in Bintulu is on track for completion by year-end, further strengthening the state’s bowling ecosystem.
