Wilson Malobolo and his team won the 2022 National Championships in the fours. Image: BSA
SA Bowls Nationals gets underway
The 2023 South African Bowls Nationals Championships is underway with a new set of champions ready to be crowned.
Wilson Malobolo and his team won the 2022 National Championships in the fours. Image: BSA
The 2023 South African Bowls Nationals Championships is underway in Tshwane and Kwa-Zulu Natal with a new set of champions ready to be crowned.
The country’s bowlers descend on two destinations for the week-long event as the women play in Tshwane and the men playing in the Durban area.
“It is both my honour and privilege to welcome you all to this major annual event,” said Bowls South Africa president Heather Boucher in her opening address.
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“To all players, organising committees, sponsors, spectators, and special guests, thank you for joining us. The amazing venues in both Bowls Gauteng North for the Ladies’ Open Nationals and Port Natal for the Men’s Open Nationals, should provide you with excellent facilities.
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Bowls nationals in two cities
“Thank you to both Districts for your dedication and services that you will showcase this week. I am also extremely grateful to the Executive and to the BSA Office staff for all the hard work that they have put into the arranging and management of this tournament.”
The tournament is played in three disciplines – the fours, the pairs and singles.
“The Ladies and Mens Nationals has been significantly revolutionised this year,” says Boucher.
“For the first time we have opened to all players within the teams – players may join together in their teams, regardless of which club, district and/or province they are affiliated to. It affords all players the opportunity to join with those bowling friends across the borders of their clubs and/or districts. I have always thought, ‘what a privilege it would be to play with those that I have, over the years, competed against’.
“Enjoy the experience and treasure the memories that you make, reminisce about your games played this week when next you meet across the competitive lines.
“I’m not sure whether anyone is aware that South Africa has a competition policy in place under the Competitions Commission, not particularly referring to sport but nevertheless, can be adopted.
A sport for all
“The purpose includes, ‘promoting competition in order to promote a greater spread of ownership …’, in other words, we aim to promote social cohesion in bowls by bringing together diverse groups of bowlers from all levels of skill and from all areas within South Africa – so permit yourselves to enjoy a true celebration of #1Sport4Life in this first Open Nationals.
“You will note that the formats have been altered to accommodate shorter periods of play, reducing the number of bowls played by each player and reducing the number of ends played for each discipline.
“These alterations have been introduced worldwide to gain the favour of our most valued marketer, TV coverage.”
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