KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) has decided to call off the 41st Malaysian International Open due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
MTBC secretary-general, Maradona Chok said they agreed to cancel the tournament slated in November as the health and safety of keglers are their top priority.
“It is not worth the risk to host an international event on a grand scale amidst this pandemic which does not seem to be slowing down.
“As much as the national bowlers are disappointed, I think it is the sensible thing to do, and everyone must get together to combat this pandemic by following the standard operating procedure set by the government, and adjusting to the new normal,” he said in a statement, today.
He said though the Malaysian Open has been cancelled, national keglers would still be taking part in the monthly roll-off, starting at the end of August to keep them in the best shape going for any tournaments in future.
Nevertheless, Chok said three international competitions scheduled in Malaysia would go ahead as planned despite pending the opening of Malaysian borders to the international visitors.
He revealed that the Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) has appealed to the Asian Bowling Federation to organise the Sarawak International Open from Nov 25-29, which was initially supposed to be the dates for the Malaysian Open meet.
Two other international competitions are the 48th Penang Pesta International Open Bowling Championship scheduled from Dec 10-19, and the Storm Under 22 International Junior All Star from Dec 18-23 at the Sunway Megalanes in Sunway Pyramid Mall. – Bernama
