10th September, Kuala Lumpur: It's official practice day here at the Pyramid Megalanes, and teams representing 65 nations will be listening intently to their coaches as they attempt to find the best route to that 'pocket' they have to hit to score the strikes.

In 1999, when the World Championships was in Abu Dhabi, the singles gold medal was won with an average just a tweak under 230, clinched by a man defending that title here in KL, the current European ranking leader Gery Verbruggen of Belgium. He is convinced that he can do that once more, but Kelly Kulick of the United States, who won the ladies' gold is not on Team USA this time.

"I think it's going to be a lot more difficult for me this time," said the stocky Belgian. "The Asian players will be feeling a lot more comfortable in their own back yard. As regards the winning score, I think it will be higher this year, perhaps in the region of a 235 to 237 average."

Practice will run throughout today, Wednesday, then competition will open Thursday morning with the first block of the ladies' singles at 08:00.

Also on the agenda today is the third day of the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) Congress. This has gone into extra time due to the conflict over the age limit of 70 for the Presidium members. Current President Dato' Dr. P.S. Nathan has offered to tender his resignation, but seeing that the other candidate, Mrs Joyce Deitch of the United States, has been ruled out of contention by being over 70, anything is liable to happen in this, hopefully, final session

For further information, please contact Media Director, Keith Hale at KEITHHALE679@aol.com , media@mtbc.org.my or via the World Championships Media Room Phone +60 3 7492 0902.