Bowler
Means any individual competitor participating in any of the Legs and/or the Tournament of Champions.

Federation
Means a member national tenpin bowling federation of the ABF in good standing.

Host Federation
Means the Federation hosting a Leg or the Tournament of Champions in association with the ABF.

International Opens
Means the international tenpin bowling competitions organised by the Malaysian, Thai, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesian and Hong Kong Federations respectively and "International Open" shall refer to any one of them.

Legs
Means the tenpin bowling competitions (other than the Tournament of Champions) comprising, and/or forming part of, the Tour and "Leg" shall refer to any one of the Legs.

Member Countries
Means Australia; Bahrain; Brunei; China; Chinese Taipei; Egypt; Guam; Hong Kong SAR, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Japan; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Korea; Kuwait; Macau, China; Malaysia; Mongolia; Myanmar; New Zealand; Philippines; Qatar; Saipan (Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands); Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Syria; Thailand and United Arab Emirates and such other countries / territories as the ABF may, from time to time, specify and/or determine, and "Member Country" shall refer to any of the Member Countries. Ranking Points Means the ABF ranking points conferred by the ABF to each individual Bowler in accordance with the provisions set out in
clause 7.

Rules
Means the rules and regulations governing the organisation and operation of, and the participation in, the Tour and as more specifically set out herein.

Tour
Means the series of Legs and the Tournament of Champions comprising, and/or collectively known as, the ABF Tour 2016.

Tournament of Champions
Means the final tenpin bowling competition (other than any of the Legs) comprising, and/or forming part of, the Tour.

West Asia
Means the following Member Countries: Bahrain; Egypt; Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Kuwait; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Syria and the United Arab Emirates, and such other countries / territories as the ABF may, from time to time, specify and/or determine.

World Bowling Doping Control Manual
Means the latest edition of the World Bowling Doping Control Manual as from time to time amended, modified and/or re-enacted.

World Bowling Playing Rules
Means the latest edition of the World Bowling Playing Rules as from time to time amended, modified and/or re-enacted.

1. references to a "person" or to an "entity" or to a "third party" include any individual, company, body corporate, corporation, sole or aggregate, government, state or agency of a state, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, organisation or trust (in each case whether or not having separate legal personality and irrespective of the jurisdiction in or under the law of which it was incorporated or exists) and a reference to any of them shall include a reference to the others;
2. any reference to a clause or paragraph or Schedule (other than to a schedule to a statutory provision) is a reference to a clause of these Rules, or a paragraph of any of the Schedules, or a schedule to (as the case may be) these Rules; and the Schedules form part of, and are deemed to be incorporated in, these Rules;
3. reference to the singular include the plural and to the masculine includes the feminine and vice versa; and
4. the headings in this agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of these Rules.

1. ABF Tour - Macau;
2. ABF Tour - Hong Kong;
3. ABF Tour - Chinese Taipei;
4. ABF Tour - China;
5. ABF Tour - Tournament of Champions.

1. respect the spirit of fair play and non-violence, and behave accordingly in the field of play; and
2. refrain from using substances and procedures prohibited under these Rules and the World Bowling Playing Rules, and the World Bowling Doping Control Manual; and
3. respect and comply in all respects with the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.

1. the competitor must be born in a Member Country;
2. the competitor must be of Asian ethnicity and descent;
3. the competitor must be an individual member in good standing of the Federation of a Member Country;
4. the competitor must, throughout the duration of the Tour (from the commencement of the first Leg to the conclusion of the Tournament of Champions), hold a valid and current passport of a Member Country; and
5. the competitor must have been continuously domiciled and resident in a Member Country / Member Countries for the period of not less than three (3) consecutive years immediately preceding the year 2004;
6. the competitor shall not, and shall not at any time during the period of three (3) years immediately preceding the date on which the first Leg commences:
   1. identify, or have identified, himself as a professional bowler; and/or
   2. hold, or have held, membership in any professional bowling organisation or tour; and/or
   3. compete, or have competed, in any professional bowling tournament, event or tour, or any bowling tournament, event or tour that is not sanctioned by the American Zone, the European Tenpin Bowing Federation or the ABF.

1. The competition will be conducted according to a prearranged draw from seedings based on the bowlers finishing position in the International Open Masters event. (see below).
2. The Bowlers shall compete in a one-game match-play knock-out competition for the men's and women's Leg titles respectively.
3. Lane assignments shall be designated by the Technical Delegate whose decision shall be final and binding on all Bowlers.
4. Each Bowler will be assigned two (2) practice throws prior to the commencement of his game.

8. The ABF tour sanction fee for each leg is US$ 4,000 and for each ranking tournament only, US$ 5,000.
9. The prize money for each leg:
   1. Men - US$ 1,100 (Champion: US$ 500; 2nd: US$ 300, 3rd & 4th: US$ 150 each)
   2. Women - US$ 1,100 (Champion: US$ 500; 2nd: US$ 300, 3rd & 4th: US$ 150 each)
10. ABF Tour Organizers have to option to add to the prize money of the leg from their own sponsors.
11. Bowlers have to register using the ABF Tour form at the start of each tournament whether they will participate in the ABF tour. The form will be sent to the ABF Tour organizer for the bowlers to sign prior to bowling their first game for the tournament.
12. Bowlers who have confirmed they will bowl and do not show up for the ABF tour will be banned from participating in all tournaments in ABF for the duration of one (1) year.

6. COMPETITION FORMAT - TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
   1. The Tournament of Champions comprises of two (2) rounds and will be staged over a period of two (2) competition days at a date and venue to be announced by the ABF.
   2. Sixteen (16) male and sixteen (16) female Bowlers will compete for the ABF Tour's men's and women's titles respectively.
   3. The male Bowlers qualifying to compete in the Tournament of Champions will comprise the top-16 men from the Tour ranking list. The female Bowlers qualifying to compete in the Tournament of Champions will comprise the top-16 women Bowlers from the Tour ranking list. In the case of a tie at Tour Ranking list, the following steps will be taken to determine the position;
      1. 1st step - bowler with highest total pin falls win; in the case of further tie,
      2. 2nd step - bowler with highest average score win; in the case of further tie,
      3. 3rd step - bowler with highest number of leg played win.
   4. The ABF's decision and/or determination on any issue relating to the qualification of Bowlers for competition in the Tournament of Champions shall be final and binding.
   5. The competition format for both the men's and women's competitions is as follows:
      1. In Round 1, all qualifying Bowlers will compete in a ten-game competition. Scores will be based on the total number of pinfalls from each of the games.
      2. The top-8 Bowlers (based on final scores) from Round 1 will qualify to compete in Round 2. A draw was made by ABF to decide the Bowlers' playing order for Round 2 games.
      3. Qualifying Bowlers will compete in one-game matchplay knock-out competitions in Rounds 2 and Semi-Finals, and the Final Round.
   6. The competition schedule for each of the three (3) competition days shall be as follows:
      1. Day 1 - Official Practice
      2. Day 2 - Round 1 - 10 games (men's & women's)
      3. Day 3 - Round 2, Semi-Finals & Final round (men's & women's)
   7. The competition draw shall be as follows:
   
   MEN'S AND WOMEN'S DRAW
   

7. PRIZES, AWARDS AND RANKING POINTS
   1. Trophies will be awarded to the men's and women's champions of each Leg and the Tournament of Champions.
   2. Ranking Points will be awarded to each Bowler competing in each Leg and Prize Money in the Tournament of Champions (no Ranking Points awarded)
   3. The total prize money for the Tournament of Champions shall be United States dollars seventy-five thousand (US$75,000) respectively. The prize money and Ranking Points will be awarded to Bowlers based on the following scale:
   

4. All prize monies are subject to withholding tax of 25% and shall be be deducted from the prize money presented.

8. COMPETITION RULES
   1. The Tour (being each Leg and the Tournament of Champions) shall be organised and conducted in accordance with Chapter I (Universal Playing Rules) and Chapter IX (Equipment Specifications) of the WTBA Playing Rules.
   2. In addition, the following competition rules and regulations shall be applicable to the Tour:
      1. Tournament Management
         1. Tournament Technical Committee - The Tournament Technical Committee shall comprise of:
            1. Tournament Director;
            2. Tournament Manager
            3. Tournament Coordinator.

            The Tournament Director shall be the chairman of the Tournament Technical Committee and shall have overall responsibility for enforcing the WTBA Playing Rules. In addition, he shall have overall responsibility for all matters relating to the lanes, machines, scoring systems, etc., and shall be solely responsible for deciding the lane dressing procedures. The Tournament Director shall be appointed by the ABF President.

            The Tournament Manager shall be responsible for the supervision and direction of tournament operations including the application and enforcement of the WTBA Playing Rules and all other relevant rules and regulations as the ABF may, from time to time, specify. The Tournament Manager shall be appointed by the Host Federation and shall report to the Tournament Technical Committee.

            The Tournament Coordinator shall be responsible for all matters relating to the administration of the competition. The Tournament Coordinator shall be appointed by the Host Federation and shall report to the Tournament Technical Committee.

         2. The Tournament Technical Committee shall act as advisory body to the Host Tournament Committee in relation to the organisation and operation of the competition. If there is any disagreement between the Host Tournament Committee and the Tournament Technical Committee, the decision of the Tournament Technical Committee shall prevail.
         3. The Tournament Technical Committee shall be responsible for deciding on appeals against decisions taken by the Lane Marshals of the Day or by the Host Tournament Committee.
         4. Lane Marshals of the Day - The Lane Marshals of the Day shall be appointed by the Tournament Technical Committee and shall be responsible for ensuring competition compliance with these Rules.
         5. Jury of Appeal - The ABF President shall appoint a three (3) member Jury of Appeal for each Leg and the Tour of Champions.
      2. Bowling Ball Procedure
         1. Only bowling balls that are included on the ABC/WIBC Approved Bowling Ball list (as from time to time revised and/or amended) may be used by Bowlers in competition.
         2. Altering the surface of bowling balls is permitted ONLY during official practice sessions and between games or blocks of games. Altering the surface of bowling balls is strictly prohibited during the practice session immediately preceding each block, or during games or any block of games.
         3. Immediately following the official practice session, each Bowler shall register the bowling balls that are to be used during competition. There is no limit to the number of bowling balls each Bowler is permitted to register for use in the competition. No replacementor additional bowling balls will be allowed after completion of the registration process. Only registered bowling balls may be used during competition.
         4. During each competition day, random inspections of bowling balls may be conducted by the Tournament Technical Committee. Bowling ball inspections shall include:
            1. serial number;
            2. weight and balance.
            3. bowling ball hardness;
            4. number of balls.
         5. The penalties for violation of this Rule are:
            1. daily random inspection - zero score for the game or block of games in relation to which the inspection was conducted;
            2. top-3 positions - zero score for the entire competition.
            3. Pre-Competition Meeting - Prior to the commencement of the official practice session, a meeting shall be held to provide all necessary information about the competition and related activities. The ABF President or designee shall chair the meeting. The Tournament Director and the Tournament Manager shall attend the meeting. All Bowlers, coaches and managers shall attend the meeting.
            4. Tie-Breaking Procedure
               1. Leg
                  1. In the case of a tie for the 16th position in the International Open Men's & Women's Masters event, a one (1) game roll-off shall be bowled to break the tie. In the case of a further tie, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall be conducted until the tie is broken.
                  2. In the case of a tie during any of the rounds in any of the Legs, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall be bowled until the tie is broken.
               2. Tournament of Champions
                  1. In the case of a tie during Round 1, a one (1) game roll-off will be bowled to break the tie. In the case of further tie, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall be bowled until the tie is broken.
                  2. In the case of a tie during any of the other rounds, a 9th and 10th frame roll-off shall be bowled until the tie is broken.
               3. Anti-Doping Rules - Rule 312 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               4. Smoking and Drinking - Rule 313 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               5. Style of Play - Rule 315 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               6. Official Scorekeeping - Rule 316 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               7. Foul Detection - Rule 317 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               8. Interrupted Game - Rule 318 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               9. Slow Bowling - Rule 319 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               10. Bowling on Wrong Lane - Rule 320 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               11. Tardy Players - Rule 321 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               12. Penalties for Rule Violations - Rule 322 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               13. Protests - Rules 323 of the World Bowling Playing Rules.
               14. Appeal Procedures
                   1. The Lane Marshal of the Day shall refer all appeals by Bowlers to the Tournament Technical Committee. The decision of the Tournament Technical Committee shall be final and binding unless a further appeal is submitted to the Jury of Appeal within twenty-four (24) hours after the Tournament Technical Committee's decision is announced, or before the prize presentation ceremony, whichever is the earlier.
                   2. All appeals from the Tournament Technical Committee's decisions must be submitted in writing to the Jury of Appeal. Each appeal shall set out all relevant details and shall be accompanied by a non-refundable administration fee of United States dollars one hundred (US$100) only.
                   3. The Jury of Appeal shall comprise of three (3) persons appointed by the ABF President. It shall be empowered to cite before it all papers and persons involved in the appeal at a regularly scheduled meeting or if deemed appropriate, the Jury of Appeal may decide on the issue by way of electronic vote.


9. BOWLERS' OBLIGATIONS
   1. Each Bowler shall personally report to the Tournament Director not less than thirty (30) minutes prior to the time at which his competition / game is scheduled to commence. The Tournament Director may, at his sole discretion, disqualify any Bowler who fails to report within the aforementioned time period. Vacancies resulting from any such disqualification may be allocated by the Tournament Technical Committee to competitors on the reserve list (if any). The Tournament Technical Committee reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to amend the scheduled commencement time of each competition.
   2. Each Bowler shall attend and participate in any and all functions and promotional / public relations activities (including, without limitation, the draw ceremony, interviews, public appearances, bowling clinics) relating to the Tour, or as otherwise required by the ABF.


10. ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY
    1. Each Bowler shall be dressed in competition attire provided by the ABF, or such other attire as may be approved by the ABF.
    2. No form of publicity or propaganda, whether commercial or otherwise, may appear on persons, on sportswear, accessories or, more generally, on any article of clothing or equipment whatsoever worn or used by the Bowlers, coaches, officials or managers at any time during the Tour (or any part thereof) other than:
       1. identification of the manufacturer of the article or equipment concerned provided that such identification shall not be marked conspicuously for advertising purposes; and/or
       2. commercial or other identification previously approved by the ABF in writing.
    3. For the purpose of clause 10.2(a):
       1. the identification of the manufacturer shall not appear more than once per item of clothing and equipment;
       2. equipment (e.g., bowling balls, ball bags, wrist guards) – any manufacturer's identification that is greater than 10% of the surface area of the equipment that is exposed during competition shall be considered to be marked conspicuously. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, there shall be no manufacturer's identification greater than 60 cm²;
       3. headgear (e.g., hats, helmets, hair bands, glasses) – any identification of manufacturer over 6 cm² shall be considered to be marked conspicuously;
       4. clothing (e.g., T-shirts, towels, skirts) – any manufacturer’s identification which is greater than 12 cm² shall be considered to be marked conspicuously; and
       5. shoes – it is acceptable that there appear the normal distinctive design pattern of the manufacturer. The manufacturer's name and/or logo may also appear, up to a maximum of 6 cm² either as part of the normal distinctive design pattern or independent of the normal distinctive design pattern.


11. INSURANCE
    1. The ABF does not provide any insurance, whether life or medical or liability, for any illness, accident, injury, loss or damage that any Bowler, coach or manager may suffer and/or incur in connection with any participation in, or attendance at, the Tour (or any part thereof).


12. PERSONALITY RIGHTS
    1. The ABF reserves the right to photograph and/or film each Bowler, coach and manager at any time during the Tour (or any part thereof) for advertising, promotional or any other commercial purposes whatsoever. The ABF also reserves for itself and its agents the right to use, reproduce and/or exploit, in perpetuity and throughout the world and without any compensation, all individual attributes and indices, photographs, footage, images, interviews, voices or sounds of each of the Bowlers, coaches and managers in any media whatsoever of its choice including, but not limited to, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, Internet websites, catalogues, brochures and displays for the purposes of advertising, promotion, or any other commercial purposes whatsoever in connection with the Tour (or any part thereof) and/or the ABF.
    2. To the extent necessary, each Bowler, coach and manager hereby grants to the ABF the rights set out in clause 12.1 on a sole and exclusive basis.


13. GENERAL
    1. If any Bowler breaches any of the Rules set out herein, the Tournament Technical Committee/ABF shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify such Bowler from the Tour (or any part thereof) and may further:
       1. nullify all scores attained by such Bowler; and/or
       2. nullify Ranking Points awarded to such Bowler; and/or
       3. forfeit any prize money awarded to such Bowler; and/or
       4. ban or suspend (for such period as the Tournament Technical Committee shall think fit) such Bowler from competing in the Tour (or any part thereof) and/or any future ABF Tours.
    2. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Rules, the ABF reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to modify and/or amend these Rules at any time and without any prior notice to any third party (including any Bowler, manager or coach), and/or to refuse competition/participation in, and/or reject any application to compete/participate in, the Tour (or any part thereof) by any person, competitor or Bowler.
    3. These Rules shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Hong Kong.

Rules revised 17th January, 2019.