By Daniel Etchells at the Khalifa International Bowling Centre, Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi

The United States' Mike Fagan is firmly behind bowling's push for Olympic inclusion ©FaganbowlingMike Fagan, the former United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters champion, has given his full backing to the strategies in place to aid tenpin bowling's bid for Olympic inclusion.


Last year's rebranding of the sport's world governing body, from the World Tenpin Bowling Association to World Bowling, and the unveiling of an alternative, simplified scoring system at last month's World Bowling Tour men's and women's finals are two of the main initiatives rolled out with the aim of increasing the sport's profile. 

Speaking at the 2014 World Bowling Men's Championships (WBMC) here, Fagan claimed the players are in constant contact with Kevin Dornberger, President of World Bowling, and believes their advice is being taken on board as bowling continues to strive for a place in the Olympics.

"I want to bring bowling to the masses," Fagan told insidethegames.

"I want to bring bowling to the Olympics and I trust the people that are in charge.

"If they believe that these are the best ways to get that done, then I'm fully on board.

"I want to be as proactive and helpful as possible in what I do, not just on the lanes but off, and I hope that we can make some progress.

"Hopefully our [the players] voices are heard and we can be on the same page when it comes to making changes."

Denmark's Frederik Ohrgaard (right) does not believe bowling's scoring system needs to be changed to secure Olympic status for the sport ©World BowlingDenmark's Frederik Ohrgaard (right) does not believe bowling's scoring system needs to be changed to secure Olympic status for the sport ©World Bowling







Denmark's Frederik Ohrgaard said he agrees that it is a good idea to implement a more simple scoring system which spectators understand better, but he certainly does not think it will make or break bowling's bid for Olympic inclusion. 

"I think the current [scoring] system can also be used and to be honest, I don't really think the scoring system matters," said the Scandinavian. 

"I think we need to behave as professional athletes first and foremost and if we can do that, I don't think the scoring system is the most important thing.

"When people start to behave professionally - eat, sleep, drink - I don't think it really matters and people will see that from the outside."

Kevin Dornberger (front, second from left), President of World Bowling, says he has not experienced opposition to his changes he has proposed from the top players ©World BowlingKevin Dornberger (front, second from left), President of World Bowling, says he has not experienced opposition to his changes he has proposed from the top players ©World Bowling



Bill Hoffman, a five-time world champion, said at this year's Asian Games in Incheon that any changes to bowling's scoring system would most likely face opposition from the top 10 to 15 players in the world rankings, since it is working for them at it is.

"I used to be a player and I'm pretty close to the players," said Dornberger. 

"I listen very hard to their opinions and most of the top players are open to possibilities.

"Maybe if it gets down to it and there's a rule change, and they start thinking I'm one of the best players in the world, will I be under this new change, they may think differently at that point in time.

"But so far, they've been pretty good.

"They've actually offered suggestions."

A meeting of the World Bowling Executive Board is scheduled to be held tomorrow and Tuesday (December 16), at which Dornberger says the members will "talk about change".

A decision will also be made on the hosts of the 2017 World Senior Championships, the 2017 World Championships, the 2018 World Youth Championships and the 2018 World Men's Championships. 

Action from the WBMC can be accessed by clicking here.

To view a full breakdown of the results thus far, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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