CYPRUS returned victorious from the recent Atlantic Bowls Championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa, securing a place in the world championships to be held in Adelaide in Australia in 2012.
The ladies team played their first pair’s match against two well-known names representing England and beat them 22:12.
“We were ecstatic,” said Linda Ryan, president of Bowls Cyprus, and a member of the Cyprus team. Many of the world’s best bowlers were competing at the prestigious event, and Ryan said the Cyprus team was hoping to qualify.
Out of the 14 teams competing in Johannesburg, a number had already been picked to play at the next world championships. The Atlantic competition is also a selection and qualification prelude to the world championships, as is the Asia Pacific championships to be held in Malaysia.
The Cyprus ladies team beat countries including Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
“Apart from wanting to represent Cyprus in the world championships, we are also hoping to take Cyprus to the common wealth games to be held in India in October next year,” said Ryan.
Ryan and other Bowls Club officials have previously met with the Cyprus Olympic and Commonwealth committee in Nicosia, and spoken to them about their wish for Cyprus to send a bowls team to India.
“They were waiting to see how we did at this competition,” said Ryan,” and I’m hoping, once we get our proposal package together, they will give us their backing and Cyprus will be represented for the first time at this kind of level.”
She added,” It would be beneficial to send a bowls entry, as it will raise the profile of Cyprus and give the bowlers something to strive for.”
The Cyprus Johannesburg team members ranged in age from 43-65 and are made up of a Phillipino, a Dutch national and three British players.
Cyprus team member, Dorothy Gibbons plays for the Coral Bay Bowls Club in Paphos, whilst Meike Meijer, Irene Owen, Sol Robertson and Linda Ryan are all members of the Aliathon Bowls Club, also in Paphos.
According to Ryan, they have until the end of July to gather a package together for the Commonwealth committee.
“We’re trying to sell ourselves and hope to get their backing, I think we’ve done a pretty good job so far. We’ve put this tiny island on the big scene and I hope we can continue to do so.
The ladies team will soon begin a grueling training schedule, which will continue over the coming months. The World Championships will be played on grass, but the Cyprus team is used to playing play on an artificial surface in Cyprus, so practice is imperative.
For further information: www.bowlscyprus.net
