Asian Games 2018: Excel sheet in hand, Hong Kong’s tenpin bowlers ready to unravel new scoring system
The Palembang tournament is the first in the world in which a strike will automatically be counted as 30 points
Instead of a computer scoreboard, they are using an excel sheet to keep score. That’s because their software has yet to be updated as Hong Kong’s Asian Games bowlers take part in an experiment that may change the way games are scored around the world.
The scoring system being used at the Asian Games in Palembang will be a world first, with a strike counting for 30 points irrespective of what a bowler does in his or her next two deliveries.
“There is less pressure on the bowlers because they do not have to bowl three strikes in a row,” said Hong Kong coach Nick Bohanan. “It will be the first time in the world this system will be used, with a view to implementing it world wide.
“It’s meant to be a bit more spectator-friendly and we are adapting to it. Our scoreboards can’t cope with it at the moment so we have to keep score using an excel sheet.”
Hong Kong will be represented by nine bowlers at the Asian Games – six men and three women. The tenpin bowling competition is being held from August 22-27 and, while Hong Kong have always been medal contenders at the regional event, the format in 2018 may work against them.