The 17th annual Malta Open Championships gets underway on Thursday at the Eden SuperBowl, St. Julian’s where around 150 top class bowlers from 15 countries are taking part.

As always a wide variety of nations will be represented, such as Russia and the USA, as well as other European countries such as Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Cyprus and of course Malta.

There is also a four-strong group of bowlers from Tunisia, a nation which has never featured in the previous sixteen editions of the event. Other than the title of Malta Open Champion, the participants are also chasing a share of the e17,500 tournament prize pool.

The Open begins with the initial qualification round carrying on to Saturday afternoon, with the male and female divisions being whittled down through the following rounds until the final stages on Sunday, concluding with the typically thrilling step-ladder final.

While there is a good bunch of first-time for this year’s edition of the Malta Open, there are also an impressive number of participants who make the trip to Malta year after year, to play in what is widely thought of as the most friendly and enjoyable tournaments on the European Circuit.

There are even several participants who visit Malta twice a year, also participating in the Senior Open in October, specifically for bowlers over 50yrs of age. In fact, a definite highlight of this year’s Malta Open will be the 50th birthday on Friday of two-time Champion (2005, 2006) Chris van Damme from Belgium, who will surely be booking his spot for October while in Malta this week. Mr. van Damme is also bringing over a number of friends and family members to join in the celebrations along with the many friends he has made in Malta over the years.

As in previous years, the Open will be ably covered by the ever-present Mr. Keith Hale, International Editor for the world-wide Bowlers’ Journal magazine, (www.bowlersjournal.com).

Mr. Hale’s first trip to the Malta Open was way back in 1993, and has been a permanent fixture in the Tournament Office since 2000. His squad-by-squad online reports are second to none, and his sterling efforts during an incredible 47-year career in bowling has earned him utmost respect around the globe.

Also providing top class coverage for the second consecutive year will be Dominic Gall, editor and Webmaster for top UK tenpin bowling website, www.talktenpin.co.uk . Mr. Gall specialises in presenting ‘live’ interviews via internet ‘podcasts’ on said website, and also on www.youtube.com , along with a multitude of photographs and features that capture the mood of the Malta Open, as well as giving a taste of Malta’s tourist attractions and cultural heritage.

Spectators are welcome to come and watch the action, while all scores and other information will be updated regularly on the Eden SuperBowl’s new-look website: http://www.edensuperbowl.com