16th January, Hong Kong, China: One hundred and nine men, forty-five women and 100 officials from eighteen countries and territories will be taking part in the 2025 IBF Para World Championships to be held from January 17 to 24, at Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon.
The physically disabled athletes were confirmed during the team managers meeting held at the Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Sports Institute in Shatin, Hong Kong. Australia, Bermuda, China, Czech Republic, Finland, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and host, Hong Kong.
Before the meeting commenced, Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP., Chairman of Hong Kong China Tenpin Bowling Congress, on behalf of H.E. Sheikh Talal Mohammad Al-Sabah, President of IBF/ABF and the Organizing Chairman, welcomed the team officials to Hong Kong and thanked them for their support with their participation.
Men's Singles medalists, Rafiq Ismail, Du Jian Chao, Patrick Hanrahan and Jaris Goh
Ms Lau also briefed the officials on the details of the official opening ceremony, which will be held tomorrow at Top Bow before handing the meeting to Dr. Danny Santos, Tournament Director to kick off the team managers' meeting. Dr Santos introduced the tournament committee seated at the head table.
Dr Santos went through a roll-call, during which some of the team officials were not in attendance as they are due to arrive later today. He covered all aspects of the championships including specific rules & regulations, lane draws for various events and the official practice procedures.
There are a total of six categories - TPB1, TPB2, TPB3, TPB8, TPB9 and TPB10 and two divisions - men and women. Three events will be contested which comprise of Singles (6 games), Doubles (6 games) and Trios (4 games) for all categories.
Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top 3 category winners. If there are only 3 athletes in each category, only gold and silver medals will be awarded. And if there are only 2 athletes in each category, only the gold medal will be awarded.
Dr Santos also briefed on other aspects including transportation of athletes on wheelchair with the bus schedule to and from the official hotel, The Marriot Courtyard and Top Bowl. Other issues involved re-scheduling some of the events dur to the results of the classification of the athletes.
The Official Opening Ceremony will take place first on January 17 at 12.00 noon. This will be followed by the official practice in the afternoon, divided into two squads commencing at 14:00 hrs local time. Committee members of the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (HKSAPD), sponsors, partners, dignitaries, distinguished guests, team officials and athletes will be present during the opening event.
Competition will kick off with the Singles on Saturday, January 18 for the TPB1 and TPB3 Men and Women and TPB2 and TPB3 after lane maintenance. The Doubles event for TPB1, TPB2 and TPB3 on Sunday, January 19. The Team event for TPB1, TPB2, TPB3 and TPB4 on Monday, January 20.
The Singles event for TPB4 will resume on Tuesday, January 21, Doubles for TPB4, Singles for TPB9 and TPB10, Singles for TPB8, TPB9 and TPB10 all on Wednesday, January 22. Thursday, January 23 will be the Doubles for TPB9 TPB10 and TPB9 and the Team event for TPB8 TPB9 TPB10 will conclude the championships. A victory banquet will be hosted by HKCTBC at the Ballroom, Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.
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