Malaysia to host 2025 Lawn Bowls World Cup
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025
By: Bernama Text Size: "This is a big opportunity for Malaysia. More local athletes will get the opportunity to get a taste of competing at the highest level" - Hannah Yeoh Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is set to make history by hosting the 2025 Lawn Bowls World Cup here from Nov 4-8, following Hong Kong's withdrawal as hosts. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh described the recognition given by the international governing body, World Bowls, to the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) as a positive development for the sport's progress in the country.
Advertisement 'The Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) will give its full cooperation to ensure the World Cup is held successfully. This is a big opportunity for Malaysia because many of the competing teams are from Commonwealth countries. 'When world-class tournaments are held here, more local athletes will get the opportunity to get a taste of competing at the highest level, compared to if they are held overseas, which usually involves higher costs,' she told reporters after attending the Segambut Fiestabowls 2.0 at Bukit Kiara here Saturday. A total of 12 countries are slated to participate in the World Cup - namely Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, India, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United States, Wales and Malaysia (host). Hannah said the MLBF is in the process of submitting applications to obtain support and funding to ensure the successful hosting of the World Cup.
Advertisement Meanwhile, MLBF president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz revealed that Malaysia was only named as the host for the 2025 Lawn Bowls World Cup after Hong Kong pulled out from organising it. He added that the MLBF received the official offer letter from World Bowls on Wednesday (May 14). 'Hong Kong withdrew because it was not prepared to accept the terms set by World Bowls. The 2026 edition will be held in Hong Kong. We received the letter from World Bowls on May 14, so that means Hong Kong must have pulled out (as host) on May 13,' he said. Lawn bowls stole the show in Malaysia when Nor Farah Ain Abdullah was crowned Sportswoman of the Year at the 2024 National Sports Awards (ASN) recently. The award was in recognition of Nor Farah Ain's achievement in winning the women's singles gold medal at the 2024 World Indoor Bowls Championships at Guernsey, Channel Islands, last April. The indoor court of the 2025 Lawn Bowls World Cup, will feature a similar greens concept as to what is scheduled for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. MLBF President Aziz said the World Cup will be held indoors, which requires several improvements to the existing bowling facilities to meet international standards. 'We have to stage it indoors. We need to create a new portable greens (court), which will be adopted at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and (to be) approved by World Bowls. We will place a layer over the existing carpet and on top of that, we will install the portable mat, which can be removed. 'We expect the procurement process to begin in three to four months. This preparation is important because our bowlers have never trained on portable greens, except for Nor Farah Ain Abdullah and Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple,' he said after the Segambut Fiestabowls 2.0 in Bukit Kiara. He added that two main bowling greens will be used for the tournament, including one existing court which will be converted entirely into a marquee structure (tent-covered) for an indoor venue. A total of seven gold medals will be contested in men's and women's singles and pairs events as well as three special categories for para lawn bowlers. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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