Going through their paces

Going through their paces

11th August, Munich: Singapore bowlers participating in the World Men's Championships 2010 went through their paces during the unofficial practice sessions at the 52-lane Dream Bowl Palace in Unterföhring near Munich, Germany on Wednesday.  Team Singapore comprising of Basil Low, Jason Yeong-Nathan, Mark Wong, Justin Lim Chun Liang, Ng Tiac Pin and Remy Ong were one of the teams which arrive early in Munich. Basil Low and Justin Lim, who were competing at the World Youth Championships in Helsinki flew into Munich with coaches, William Woo and Francis Yeo.

The rest flew in on Sunday with head coach cum team manager, Mervyn Foo to join them. While the team took a couple of days off to settle down to the time difference, they had their first taste of the lanes on Tuesday itself.

With the majority of the other teams arriving on Monday and Tuesday, Dream Bowl Palace were packed with most of them on the lanes going through their paces during the unofficial practice.

"The boys have settled down quite well here in Munich," said Mervyn Foo. "We've a pretty good idea of the lane conditions now but it's difficult to judge at this stage until they put on the official oiling pattern.""This will be finalised during the team managers' meeting tomorrow before the official practice thereafter. We've practised on varying types of the long oil pattern but it'll be a bit tricky over the medium oil pattern," added Foo.

While the Dominican Republic and Mongolia have pulled out, there are now 358 bowlers and officials from 66 countries who will take part in this year's championships which will kick off with the official practice on August 12 followed by the opening ceremony.

The championship proper will commence with three of the five squads of the opening Singles event on Friday, August 13 and the remaining two on Saturday, August 14. The top 4 finishers will advance to the semi-finals and finals.

The other four events: Doubles (August 15 and 16), Trios (August 17 and 18), Team of Five (August 19 and 20) with the Masters (August 21) ending the championship.

Detailed information: Schedule.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Munich.