7th November, Hong Kong, China: Hong Kong, China will be hosting the 2025 IBF World Cup from January 5 to 14, 2025 at the new 40-lanes Top Bowl, located in the Kai Tak Shopping Mall of Kai Tak Sports Park, announced at a press conference.
The IBF World Cup, presented by QubicaAMF, partner of IBF, is proud of being an "M" Mark event which will help enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia's sports event capital. The "M" Mark, awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
Up till today, 31 countries/regions have confirmed their participation, including Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Catalan, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Koream Denmark, Germany, Guam, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macau, China, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sweden, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong China.
Dignitaries, distinguished guests with Hong Kong National Team at the press conference
About 280 athletes, along with approximately 150 team officials will participate in the championships. Athletes will compete in Singles and Team of 4 event, contending for 2 medals in their respective Men's and Women's divisions.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Central Atrium, Ground Floor, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Kowloon West this afternoon. Amongst the dignitaries and guests who attended the press conference were Dr. Karl Kwok Chi Leung, BBS, Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China.
The Honorary Vincent Cheng Wing-Shun, MH, JO, Member of Legislative Council, Mr George Tsoi Kin Pan, Commissioner for Sports of Culture, Sports and Tourism Board, Mr Wilfred Ng Sau Kei, GBS, MH, JP, Chairman of Major Sports Event Committee, Ms Chui Hiu Lo, Acting Director of Leisure & Cultural Services.
Also present were Mr Chew Fook Aun, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Sports Institute, Mr Tony Yue Kwok Leung, BBS, MH, JP, Vice President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. Mr Cheng King Leung, Chairman of Elite Sports Committee, Mrs Maura Ling Lau Yuet Fun, BBS, MH, President of Special Olympics Hong Kong, Mr Roger Creamer, Director, International Relationship & Sports Development, QubicaMAF and Ms Bella Chhoa, Director, Asset Management, Sino Group.
Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP, Chairman of HKCTBC, kicked off the conference with a video presentation of the IBF World Cup and her introduction of the officiating dignitaries followed by speeches from them. The Hong Kong National Team representing Hong Kong were also introduced.
The Opening Ceremony of the championships will be held at Top Bowl in the Kai Tak Sports Park on January 5, 2025 at 6.00 pm. For the first time ever in Hong Kong and Asian, the Semi-finals and Finals of the Team of 4 event will be held outside the bowling center, in an innovative "arena setting".
Athletes will bowl on two temporarily installed lanes, in the Queen Elizabeth STadium in Wai Cha on January 14, 2025, which can accommodate around 1,500 spectators allowing more local citizens to watch and enjoy the spectacular competition.
The event is free of charge to the public. They can register online on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each spectator will receive a complimentary 500 ml drinking bottle shaped like a bowling pin, suitable for both hot and cold liquid when they come to watch the Finals. The Team Finals will also be broadcast either live or delayed by TVB.
The Hong Kong China Team consists of four male athletes, Wu Siu Hong, Tony Wong, Ivan Tse and Keith Mark, The reserve athlete is 16-year-old Jovi Ma. The five of them won the Bronze medal in the Men's Team of 5 event while Wu Siu Hong, Tony Wong and Jovi Ma also won the Bronze medal in the Men's Trios event at the 27th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Thailand in September this year. Wu, Wong and Tse were the Gold medalists in the Men's Trios event at the IBF World Championships in Kuwait, October in 2023.
In conjunction with the Championships, a series of promotional and publicity activities will be organized to raise awareness in the Hong Kong community, including a 4-day mini-bowling roadshow for the Championships here in the Olympian City 2 over the weekend from today to November 10.
This is the first time the Congress has organized a roadshow in a shopping mall. Five mini-bowling lanes will be set up for the public to try their hands in bowling, aiming to bring the sport of bowling closer to the public.
On January 3, 2025, a "Winter Bowling Carnival" will be held in the new bowling centre in Kai Tak Sports Park. Hong Kong China Team and the Malaysian National Team will conduct demonstration and sharing session for the underprivileged youth from the Kowloon Federation of Association.
Additionally on January 3, 2025, a "Charity Bowling Tournament" co-organized by Hong Kong China Tenpin Bowling Congress (HKCTBC), Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGH) and the Chinese Gold & SIlver Exchange will also be held on January 4, 2025 in the bowling center from 3.00 to 6.00 pm to raise funds for the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Selective Mutism of TWGHs.
Photos by HKCTBC.
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