This article appeared on Tenpin Bowling Australia.
World Bowling has been granted the status of International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Recognised International Federation (IF). World Bowling is elated with this momentous occasion which encompasses the accessibility of the sport and provides recognition and empowerment to an already flourishing sector of bowling.
With accessibility being one of bowling’s major distinguishing features, bowling has an already thriving community of participants and athletes with an impairment. The official collaboration with the IPC and the designation of para bowling will further develop this sector of the sport and provide more opportunities for organised play and official competition.
President of World Bowling, Sheikh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah said he is “Very excited to become an official IPC Recognised International Federation. We are certain that this recognition will further increase the number of Para Bowling participants from the grassroots level right through to elite athletes.”
Bowling features in almost every major international multi-sport event, including World Games, Pan American Games, Asian Games, Central and South American Games, South East and East Asia Games, Caribbean Games, Maccabiah Games, Masters Games and Gay Games. A full medal sport at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2004, the sport is also featured at the quadrennial Deaflympic Games, the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival on earth.
Following the announcement Tenpin Bowling Australia, CEO, Cara Honeychurch said it is a step in the right direction for the sport across the World and in Australia.
“This announcement is wonderful news for the sport of tenpin bowling. We are delighted that World Bowling is now an IPC Recognised International Federation and we look forward to supporting their efforts to gain inclusion into the Paralympic Games in the future,” Honeychurch said.
“TBA is proud of the work that it does in conjunction with the bowling industry to promote the sport and create participation opportunities for people with a disability. With a highly successfully National Disabilities Championship concluding a couple of weeks ago, the sport continues to enjoy strong growth in the community for people with a disability.”
“This announcement will no doubt provide further motivation for people with an impairment to get involved in tenpin bowling.”