As of today, 55 countries have confirmed participation in the 15th World Championship. Append below are the number of particpating countries and number of bowlers /officials as submitted. If you have sent your entry Form A, but do not find your country listed below, please inform us urgently.

At the request by some countries, we further extended the cut off date of Entry to July 15th.

For entries received after July 15th but before August 8th, there will be a surcharge of USD60 in addition to the normal USD120 entry fee per person.

August 8, 2003 will definitely be the final day for submission. All entries reaching us after August 8, 2003 will not be accepted.

For a latest list of participating countries, click here.

All payments for Entry Fees must be transfered to our bank account latest by July 15th, 2003 or penalty will be imposed as stated in para 4.1 above. Your entry fees payment must exclude all bank charges ie. we must receive in our bank the actual net amount, if not the balance must be paid on arrival prior to the commencement of the Championship.

We have many enquiries with regards to special airfare provided by our Official Carrier - Malaysia Airlines. Attached please find a list of Malaysia Airlines offices in various countries for your easy reference. Please make booking direct with MAS office, and not going through any travel agent if you need to enjoy the special fare and excess baggages for bowling balls. If you have any difficulty getting the quoted fare from MAS office in your area, please book your seats and forward us the PNR booking number ASAP, we shall then proceed to obtain the approval here in Kuala Lumpur for you.

Download our Form D2 which is a revised arrival and departure Form. Please fill and return to us as soon as you have finalised your flight schedule. We need this form urgently especially those who will be flying with Malaysia Airlines. We require the PNR booking number before we can proceed to obtain the special fare and excess baggage for you.

We will appreciate if you can help by sending the Form H (Bowlers information Form) and digital photos through email to us as soon as possible. We need to complete all accreditation with the photos prior to your arrival. We also need the photos for our souvenir program.

Amended Rule 308 Bowling Ball Procedure
Only bowling balls that are included on the ABC/WIBC Approved Bowling Ball list may be used in competition.

Altering the surface of bowling balls is permitted during the Official Practice and between the blocks of games. It is not allowed during the practice session immediately preceding each block, or during any block of games.

Prior to the start of the Official Practise the bowling balls to be used during competition shall be inspected. Each player will be allowed to have a maximum of 6 bowling balls inspected. The inspection shall be limited to:

1. Eligibility of the ball.
2. Serial Number.
3. Weight and balance.
4. Hardness.
5. Number of balls.

In case, immediately after the Official Practice, a player wants to exchange one or more of the inspected bowling balls, he/she will be allowed to do that provided the balls are inspected prior to registration of the ones to be used in competition. Immediately following the Official Practice registration shall be made of the bowling balls to be used during the championship events. Each player will be permitted to register maximum 6 bowling balls. No replacements or additions will be allowed once the first event has started, and no modifications of a bowling ball shall be permitted apart from the altering of the surface as described above.

Each day during the events random inspection of the bowling balls shall be performed. The Tournament Technical Committee shall decide on the number of balls and the players, which shall be randomly selected. The inspection shall be limited to the serial number of the balls.

The penalties for violation of the rule are:

1. Daily random inspection - zero score for the event in which the inspection was performed.
2. Medallists - zero score for the event.
3. Masters Finals - disqualification and all scores null and void.

Note:

1. The official list of approved bowling balls is published on the Internet website www.bowl.com.
2. In very special circumstances the Tournament Technical Committee may allow a replacement of a registered bowling ball.
3. A maximum of five gripping holes are allowed in a bowling ball. The player must be able to reach each set of finger holes (not all four simultaneously) while using the thumb hole. Any hole, which cannot be reached, is considered a vent hole. The ball must be balanced twice when one set of fingerholes are for fingertip and the other set for conventional grip.
4. When delivering the ball the player must have his/her thumb in or over the thumb hole. It may not be 180 degrees away from the thumb hole.

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) has in principal agreed with a TV company to broadcast the finals. However, this can only be done in one bowling centre hence the Women's' Masters Finals have to be moved from the Ampang Superbowl to the Pyramid Megalanes. The 16 women players qualified for Masters will be given a two hour practice session the day before the finals, and that the bowling ball selection and registration will be repeated after the practice. A revised schedule including the official practice for women players at Pyramid Megalanes is attached .WTBA Presidium had given its approval on this procedure.

The ball storage area will be a problem in both bowling centres because of the distance between the lanes and the storage area. There will be an option to have hired workers to collect the bowling balls and transport them between the bowling centre and the storage area at a fee of USD50 per team for the whole duration of the Championship. Those Federation wishing to have this service provided, please confirm within two weeks of todate (June 27, 2003) as we will have to hire staff on the basis of demand.

Kegel has produced two separate pattern for the two venues at Pyramid Megalanes in Sunway Pyramid, and Ampang Superbowl in Summit. The patterns are posted and they can be downloaded from our website www.mtbc.org.my, www.wtba.org.my or www.bowlingworldchampionship2003.com.

Pyramid Megalanes (Men's competition venue)

Type Description Pin Machines AMF 82/70 and AMF 82/90 Lanes AMF Wood Lanes Surface Durathane 100 Base Coat and Durathane Top Coat Approach Water base Oiling Machine Kegel Sanction oiling machine Conditioner Prodigy Lane Conditioner Cleaner Defense C Lane Cleaner Pins AMF Amflite II 3.8 oz

Ampang Super Bowl (Women's Competition venue)

Type Description Pin Machines AMF Gold 8800 Lanes Durabowl Synthetic laminated lanes Approach Durabowl Synthetic Oiling Machine Kegel Sanction oiling machine Conditioner Prodigy Lane Conditioner Cleaner Defense C Lane Cleaner Pins AMF Amflite II 3.8 oz

For any further enquiries, please email to us at admin@mtbc.org.my or sidneyt@pd.jaring.my should you need further information or clarification.

You can also contact us by: Telephone: +603-74923226, +6012-2873030 Fax: +603-74923227.