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2026 IBF World Youth Championships

Thirty-four countries vying for glory

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26th June, Kuching, Sarawak: A total 133 boys, 85 girls and 88 officials from thirty-four countries have gathered at the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia for the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships hosted by Amatuer Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) at Megalanes Emart in Batu Kawah from June 27 to July 7, 2026.

The World Youth Championship is the elite tenpin bowling event for athletes aged 21 or under, where they can showcase their skills for the first time for some and another opportunity for some to provide glory for their country.

Eighteen countries from the Asian Zone (ABF), three from Oceania Zone (OBF), eleven from the European Zone (ETBF) and four from the American Zone (PanAm) making up a total of 34 countries participating at this year's event.

Team officials attended the managers' meeting held at Megalanes Emart, Batu Kawah at 5.00pm local time, chaired by Mr Michael Seymour, CEO of International Bowling Federation and Tournament Director, along with Mr Robert Lu, Deputy President of host ABAS and Senior Vice President of Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress, Mr Marios Nicolaides, Technical Delegate and En Fazreen Fadzuan, Host Tournament Manager.

Championshis tournament committee members at the head table

The meeting kicked off with the chairman introducing the Tournament Committee seated at the head table which was then followed by a welcome speech from Mr Robert Lu. A roll call of the teams present to the meeting subsequently followed.

Mr Seymour went through the contents of the technical handbook distributed to all team officials, which included athletes accreditation cards, athletes bibs and submission of line up forms. Some of the more important issues discussed were the finalisation of the championships schedule, lane draws, official practice sessions and the official opening procedures.

Mr Nicolaides announced and outlined the oiling pattern that will be deployed for this championship. He also re-iterated the importance of having athletes' bowling balls registered prior to the start of competition. Mr Seymour also announced the members of the Jury of Appeal comprising of Mr Joey Miranda III (President of OBF from Guam), Mr Francois Lavoie (IBF EC Member from Canada) and Mr Maradona Chok (Secretary General of MTBC).

The official practice will be held tomorrow, June 27 comprising of one-hour session per squad, two squads for the boys and two squads for the girls. This will be followed by the Official Opening Ceremony to be held at Megalanes Emart at 4.00pm local time.

Competition will kick off with the Singles qualifying rounds on June 28 and 29 ending with the Matchplay rounds. The Doubles qualifying rounds will be contested on June 30 and July 1 ending with the Matchplay rounds.

Mr Michael Seymour conducting the Team Managers' meeting

The Team qualifying rounds will take place on July 2 and 3 ending with Matchplay rounds and Team Semi-finals. The Mixed Team qualifying rounds will follow on July 4 ending with the Matchplay rounds and Semi-finals. The Singles Semi-finals, Doubles Semi-finals will all be held on July 5. The last day of competition will be the Finals for Singles, Doubles, Team and Mixed Team. A Victory Baquet will be hosted by ABAS concluding the week-long championships.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.

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