There’s a real buzz around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games at the Bukit Kiara National Lawn Bowls Centre, Kuala Lumpur, as World Bowls continues its push for the sport’s inclusion on the Olympic stage.
As part of a broader and long-term campaign for Olympic and Paralympic inclusion – Bowls for Brisbane 2032 – World Bowls put on a special broadcast feature match on Thursday, November 6, featuring a showcase clash between Malaysia and a Rest of the World team.
This campaign, and accompanying high-profile showcase match idea, has been in careful development for some time and involves many moving parts across both the able-bodied and para-sport sectors, and engagement with various peak bodies such as International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee.
Importantly, this match spotlighted both able-bodied and para-athletes, helping to demonstrate the inclusive nature of our sport and its alignment with the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Malaysia’s team featured Siti Zalina Ahmad, Muhammad Idham Amin Ramlan, Haszely Elias, Rattna Aizah Mohd Idris, Mohd Amir Mohammad Yusof (non-playing captain), while in the Rest of the World squad were Emily Kernick (England), Corey Wedlock (Australia), Wai Lin Tang (Hong Kong China), Jarid James (South Africa), James Reynolds (non-playing captain).
The Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (PLBM) is a key partner in this international effort led by World Bowls and Bowls Australia.
The ‘Rest of the World’ won the exhibition game on a tie-breaker set. MVP was Corey Wedlock.
The guest of honour to witness the celebration was Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, and vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia.
He said the sports growth in Malaysia is a testament to its enduring appeal and accessibility.
“From our records Lawn Bowls is one of the longest-standing sports in the Commonwealth Games, having been competed since the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton.
“I wish to express my steadfast support for the inclusion of lawn bowls in 2032 Brisbane Olympics.”
President Bowls Malaysia, Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said lawn bowls is an inclusive sport.
“This exhibition match was televised live in the World Bowls Series.”
“We showed we are on par with the world’s best, even though we lost by a tie-break set.”
Malaysia are hosting the inaugural ‘World Cup 2025’ in Bukit Kiara from November 4-8.
Twelve top nations are competing in this platinum event of the World Bowls Series.
President of World Bowls, Brett O’Riley, president of World Petanque Federation Claude Azema, CEO of World Bowls Neil Dalrymple were present.
As part of the campaign, bowlers, club members and supporters are invited to become Barrackers.
Barrackers will champion bowls for Brisbane 2032 by signing up and helping raise awareness, showing the world that the sport enjoys passionate grassroots support.
To become a Barracker, see https://bowls.com.au/events-page/bowls-for-brisbane-2032/
Caption: The ROW winning team. Credit: Bowls Malaysia
