Indonesia's Putty secures best bowler award

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

One day before the Tournament of Champions, Indonesian contender Putty Armein was named on Wednesday the 2004 Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour's top ranked women's bowler, as well as best bowler.

Indonesia won two other awards, Jaya Ancol Bowl Center for best match organizer and Ryan Lalisang for highest game scorer of the Tour.

Ryan scored a Tour-record of 300 perfect game in the Malaysian leg, in March.

Malaysia was acclaimed the best team, while Chester King of the Philippines was named the men's top ranked bowler.

The ABF awarded the winners at a welcome party on Wednesday for ABF Tournament of Champions, which will begin its four-day competition on Thursday.

The Tournament of Champions is the grand final of ABF Tour after the players wrapped up competition in the preceding six legs.

The tournament, which brings together top 16 players apiece in the men's and women's division on the Tour's final rankings, will use a round robin system, with all players taking on each other over the first two days. Two wild cards have been given in the men's division.

The top eight qualify for the knockout rounds.

Putty deserved the award after she qualified for five legs, won one leg in Indonesia. She played a total of 12 games and produced the highest pinfall of 2405.

The ABF Tour chairwoman Vivien Fung said that Jaya Ancol Bowl Center had given a well-organized competition during the Indonesian leg in October.

"That's also why the Tournament of Champions is being held in Jakarta again," she said.

Several bowlers have already started their training for the tournament.

Asian female number one Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia said she was keen to emulate her 2002 victory.

"I know the best bowlers in Asia are coming to the Tournament. I will do my best to shake them off," she said.

Asian male number one Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar looked brimming with confidence, saying he had been in good form recently.

"I feel great. I am in very good form ... therefore I expect to win the tournament," he said.

Shaheen was the winner of the Indonesia Open, played concurrently with ABF Tour's leg of Indonesia in October. Shaheen claimed he had learnt a lot from his previous performances.

Meanwhile, Shaker Al Hassan of Uni Arab Emirate, the winner of the Indonesian leg, hoped that he would carry on with his winning form.

"I hope I can repeat my success in Jakarta," he said.