7th September, Kuching: Team Hong Kong Juniors, China 1 captured the special Sabati Cup held on the opening day of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2026, ten pins ahead of Team Sunway Megalanes 2 in second and Team Hero Bowling, Sarawak third.

The first team of Bowling Is Science, Singapore got off the 4-game Bakers' Format trios with a sizzling 267 in their opening game to lead Team Cheers M8 by 20 pins and Team MSNS-ABAS 2 a further four pins away in third. The leader added a superb second game of 225 to remain in the lead.

MSNS ABAS 2 moved up to second with Sunway Megalanes 2 taking up third spot as Cheers M8 dropped off. Sunway Megalanes 2, who shot 239 and 246 in their first two games rolled 234 to take over the running 38 pins ahead of MSNS-ABAS 2 and Hong Kong, China 1 sharing second spot.

Hong Kong, China 1's Jun Li, Clayton Yip and Neptunus Leung fired a stunning 253 to snatch victory with 934 total. Sunway Megalanes 2 managed only 205 to settle for second with 924 while Team Hero Bowling, Sarawak stormed home to clinch third position with 876.

MSNS-ABAS 2 missed the podium ending up sharing fourth position with Team Sunway Megalanes 1 on 860. The champion pocketed the top prize of RM2,000. Team Sunway Megalanes 2 and Team Hero Bowling took home RM1,000 and RM500 for finishing first and second runners-up respectively.

YBhg Datin Dona Dury-Wee, President of Sarawak Society For the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SSPCA), YBhg Datin Noor Akmar, Executive Member of Sabati and YBhg Sato Enn were on hand to present the prizes to the winners.

Mr Sunny Si, Deputy President of Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) and President of Amateur Bowling Association (ABAS) presented a cheque of RM10,000 to Mr Charles Siaw, President of Kuching Autistic Association (KAA), Ms Connie Yeo, Exco Member and Chairman of Fund Raising Committee and Ms Chelsea Cher, Fund Raising Officer, KAA.

The qualifying rounds for the Sarawak International Open will kick off tomorrow with the first block of four games, divided into three squads. Players will bowl two blocks of four games each over the next two days. The Youth 3DU Masters and the inaugural Challenger Crown will be held on September10. The U21 and Classified Masters will be held on September 11 and the Mixed Open Masters Finals on September 12.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.