Bowlers’ long journeys take them to the rink
COMPETITORS from Africa and Asia at the World Indoor Bowls Championships had to cope with the extra challenge of lost luggage in their long journeys to Guernsey.
Thirty countries from six continents were represented in the competition, the start of which unfortunately coincided with chaos at Dubai airport caused by torrential flooding.
With a number of competitors transferring through the world’s second-busiest airport it unfortunately led to a number of suitcases going missing.
Gloria Ha and Stanley Lai from Hong Kong were two of the bowlers caught up in the mayhem.
‘Luckily ours turned up after three days,’ she said.
‘The club have been really good lending us shoes and equipment. I had to buy some warm clothes as well – it’s been much colder than I thought it would be.’
Neither of the bowlers, who are competing together in the mixed doubles as well as singles, had been to Guernsey before.
‘It’s a beautiful island and the people are lovely. The organising committee have taken great care of us,’ she said.
‘All I knew about Guernsey was that it was a tiny dot on the map just like the island of Hong Kong, but with a much smaller population.’
To put that into perspective, Guernsey is roughly three quarters the size of Hong Kong Island, but is home to more than 1.2 million fewer people.
Mr Lai has been playing tournaments around the world for more than 24 years, from Australia and Malaysia to Cyprus, but was too focused on the championships to do much sightseeing.
‘I’ve had a little look around the island but for me it’s all about the competition. I don’t really stay on to see the place I am competing in.’
Jason Evans from Johannesburg in South Africa was still waiting for his luggage to appear.
‘The people have been really great and have gone out of their way to help, people have been popping to the shops to buy me toothpaste and the like,’ he said.
‘Unfortunately my luggage still hasn’t turned up. I’m still competing in the tracksuit I travelled in. Next time I will pack my kit in my hand luggage.’
Poena Olivier from neighbouring Namibia had also travelled from Johannesburg, but had flown direct to Heathrow.
Whereas South Africa was funding Mr Evans to compete, Mr Olivier had self-funded he and his wife’s trip to compete in the mixed doubles.
‘My wife hates flying so we had paid the extra to go direct,’ he said.
‘The trip has cost me and my wife about £4,000, including the flights, but at least we have our luggage. You have to be really committed to want to compete as a smaller nation.’
