During the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association Annual General Meeting this week officers agreed that with more funding available this year, the aim will be to further develop the game in the territories while becoming more competitive at international level.
The most significant change in office came as Walter Kwok of Hong Kong Football Club became the new Vice-President—National Competition after winning the ballot at the AGM on Monday Sept 23.
Kwok, a one-time Hong Kong international and manager, challenged the role held for four years by Tony Chiu of Kowloon Bowling Green Club. He won the vote by a thin margin of 39 to 34 and vowed to conduct the national competitions in a more professional manner.
Meanwhile, the retirement of the Honorary Secretary Stephanie Chung also triggered a little change at the office.
The vacancy left by Chung, who moved back to her homeland of New Zealand earlier this month, was taken up by Assistant Honorary Secretary Sandy Sit, whose vacated seat was then filled by Derek Lee from the Kowloon Cricket Club.
Other officers were all re-elected as there were no challengers for their positions.
President Vincent Cheung will serve his 15th term in the office. He explained how this year the focus for further development will mainly be on two areas.
“In addition to further developing the sport across the territories, we need to put more emphasis on the elite squad training,” said Cheung.
The latter is a result of lawn bowls being granted the status of second level Elite Sport by the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
“The number of bowlers has increased substantially in the last few years and this provided a continual flow of talent for our elite squad.
“The recognition by the Government proves that we are on the right track and I am looking forward to another year of success for the Hong Kong team,” added Cheung.
Heron Lau, the VP in charge of International echoed Cheung’s statement after being re-elected.
“As a result of being recognised as a second level Elite Sport, we have additional funding from the Hong Kong Sports Institute and all of it will be used on improving the performance of the Hong Kong team,” said Lau.
“At the moment we are recruiting a National Coach who will help us to formulate a long-term development plan for the team.”
The next challenge that faces Hong Kong will be the Asia Pacific Merdeka Indoor Championships 2013 in Malaysia from Sept 30 to Oct 6. Hong Kong will be represented by top bowler Ken Chan, youngster Anthony Yip, the newly crowned indoor Singles champion Tammy Tham and National Singles runners-up Elizabeth Cormack.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
