NEWS out of the UK is not good – sadly the 2020 World Bowls Indoor Championships, originally scheduled to be conducted at the Bristol club in England last month, are now officially cancelled and discussions are being progressed in relation to the 2021 championships.

The controlling bodies, World Bowls and IIBC, continued monitoring the guidelines and directives of government and health authorities, together with the ongoing global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in arriving at this decision.

Numerous countries have placed firm restrictions on travel for their nationals and with the United Kingdom Government moving to the ‘Containment’ phase, regretfully the event has been called off.

In reaching this decision we are fully aware that athletes, officials and others may have made travel arrangements for this event, but our overriding concern must be for the health and welfare of the athletes, volunteers, administrators and spectators who would be involved.

The demographics of the sport and the potential unknown underlying health issues of athletes, volunteers, officials, administrators and spectators were also key factors in reaching this decision.