IV Commonwealth Championships - Media Release
19th May 2008
Belfast will host the fourth Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships at the end of November.
The competition, to be staged at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl from 24 – 30 November, is being hosted by the Northern Ireland Tenpin Bowling Federation.
Competitors from 16 Commonwealth countries – including a number of reigning world champions – are expected to take part in the Championships, which previously has been held in Scotland, Australia and Cyprus. Each team is made up of four bowlers, and Northern Ireland’s team is made up of Dundonald’s Karen Payne and Billy Nimick and Londonderry’s Lynda Watson and Kevin Horton.
The Championships is being sponsored by Belfast City Council, together with the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, Castlereagh Borough Council, Sport Northern Ireland, the British Tenpin Bowling Association, QubicaAMF, Holiday Inn Belfast, Discover Ireland and FonaCab.
Joining the Northern Ireland team at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, the High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Margaret McKenzie, pointed to the province’s growing international reputation for hosting successful sporting events.
“In recent years, we have hosted a diverse range of international sporting competitions, from the World Cross Country Championships to the World Amateur Boxing Championships, the Fencing Commonwealth Games and the Women’s World Open Squash Championship to last year’s IRB Under 19 World Championship.
“This year promises to be just as eventful, with not just one but three major international competitions – the World One Armed Golf Championships at Dunmurry in June, the World Blind Golf Championships at Belvoir Park in August and the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships here at Dundonald in November.
“Of course, we cannot stage major competitions like these without partnerships, and I am delighted the Belfast City Council has been able to work with our neighbours in Castlereagh to bring these Commonwealth Championships to Northern Ireland.”
The Mayor of Castlereagh, Councillor Myreve Chambers, added:
“Castlereagh Borough Council is delighted to be staging another prestigious bowling event at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. The facility has previously hosted many major bowling events, including a number of junior, adult and senior Triple Crowns, which were eagerly contended by teams across the British Isles and Republic of Ireland, as well the unforgettable AMF Bowling World Cup which saw more than 70 teams across the globe competing for the title.
“We have every hope that the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship will be as successful, and we look forward to working with both Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tenpin Bowling Federation to ensure that every participant and their supporters have an enjoyable visit.”
Billy Beattie, President of the Northern Ireland Tenpin Bowling Federation, said they were looking forward to competing on their home lanes.
“This is a great opportunity for Northern Ireland to promote tenpin bowling as a Commonwealth sport, and the chance to host a very prestigious event. We are confident that all the competitors will enjoy their stay in Northern Ireland and experience the friendliness of the people and natural beauty of the country.”
The fourth Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships take place at the Dundonald International Ice Bowl from 23 – 30 November. The Dundonald International Ice Bowl hosted the AMF Bowling World Cup in 1996.