INQUIRER.net will host the official website of the Philippine Bowling Federation. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson
Hoping to reinvigorate the interest for the sport of bowling in the country, the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) and INQUIRER.net forged an online partnership deal on Friday.
The new website, which can be found at philbowling.inquirer.net, will feature the latest news and developments in the local bowling scene, as well as the progress of Filipino bowlers competing in the world stage.
“We are excited to promote ten-pin bowling as a sport for excellence among Filipinos through this new channel,” said, INQUIRER.net president Paolo Prieto at the launch attended by executives from both parties at V Corporate Center in Makati.
“This is a big step in supporting a sport we love and we’re so passionate about. It is a sport where we Filipinos had excelled in and continues to do so,” said INQUIRER.net online publisher Abel Ulanday. “While we acknowledge the successes, triumphs, and fame achieved by many of our bowlers, we realize that competition has become so tough at present that we have to refocus on how we can elevate our game to be able to compete more efficiently and effectively. We believe this will help in regaining the previous standing the country has had before in this sport.”
The PBF also said that the move is a way of the federation to keep up with the times, while hoping to re-introduce the sport to the younger audience.
“Before, every time we read the newspaper, bowling is always on top. Now, we’re even having a hard time to get even a bronze medal,” said, PBF president Steve Hontiveros. “With this project, we hope that this will boost bowling awareness in our country. This is a good start for us to entice new athletes to become bowlers.”
Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco also believes that the right pieces are there to bring the sport back into national consciousness.
“We still have the material and we still have the talent. We just have to put things together. I’m very happy that there’s such a move like this that will put the sport in the limelight so that people will know what’s going on. Hopefully, we can also tap the talent that will put the Philippines back in the map.”
“The PBF site will become successful only if the bowling industry will contribute to its success,” said the INQUIRER.net chief operating officer Gary Libby.
Also gracing the event were PBF secretary general Alex Lim, national team coach Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno, and bowling legends Bong Coo and Biboy Rivera. Randolph B. Leongson