Bowling

Greetings to ICSD members and fans. It has been approximately two years since the last bowling report - but finally, someone was chosen to report regarding the sport, and I am pleased to say that I have been awarded the position.

My name is Kazimierz Chodak, and I am from Los Angeles, California. I currently am the Consultant for the 2009 Summer Deaflympics with a concentration in Bowling. I hope to become a Bowling TD in the future.

I have had a vast experience with Bowling. I was a dedicated bowler for about twenty years, and my first attempt at going to the Summer Deaflympics occurred in 1996, but I unfortunately was one spot behind the cut. I kept bowling, regardless. I worked with the Asian Pacific Games for the Deaf in 2000 and also with the 2003 World Deaf Bowling Championships in Taipei. In 2001, I gladly became the assistant coach for the USA team. I  also volunteered for the Summer Deaflympics in 2005 and Winter Deaflympics in 2007.

There is a growing number of participants for the Summer Deaflympics. For example, in 2005, about 200 players came, but for 2009, the participant details show that there will be more than 300 players from 28 different countries. We will wait to see the official entries regarding athlete names and other stats on 1 August 2009.

The building where the bowlers will play has two floors 40 lanes on each floor (totaling 80 lanes). For the rules from FIQ and WTBA, please check: www.fiq.org, www.worldtenpinbowling.com and www.deaflympics.com/sports/regulations.asp?SC=Bowling

There shall be a World Deaf Bowling Championships in 2011 (between September to October). If your country would like to host the World Deaf Bowling Championships, please do not hesitate to e-mail ICSD office at info@ciss.org. To apply for World Deaf Bowling Championships, please click this link. There will also be a meeting in Taipei 4-5 September 2009. The 2009 Summer Deaflympics bowling competition and training schedule can be found here.

For questions and concerns, please e-mail me at: bowling@ciss.org

I look forward to meeting you all.

Kazimierz CHODAK
ICSD Consultant - Bowling

By Kazimierz Chodak