Bowlers’ last bid for 1990 Games

Press, 19 July 1983, Page 38

Bowlers’ last bid for 1990 Games

PA Wellington The New Zealand Bowling Association will make a last bid this evening to have bowls included in Auckland’s application to hold the 1990 Commonwealth Games. A national bowls selector and councillor, Kerry Clark, of Wellington, will attempt at tonight’s executive meeting of the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association to have the decision to reject bowls reversed. The Games Association’s chairman, Roy Dutton, has already said the decision to omit bowls from the 10 sports for Auckland is “irreversible.” The decision in favour of sports such as gymnastics, wrestling and judo was made at a special meeting of the games association’s executive earlier this month. The bowls association was not represented at that meeting. Despite Mr Dutton’s comment Mr Clark was yesterday hopeful of success: “We view this matter very seriously,” said Mr Clark. “I intend to do some rather

direct speaking. “I think there are very good reasons why the decision to drop bowls must be reviewed.” Bowls was listed among the 10 sports nominated by an Auckland games steering committee. “We certainly don’t consider we have been lax. The steering committee chose bowls and since then no submissions were called for, that we were aware of,” Mr Clark said. “The decision not to follow the steering committee’s recommendations was a shock.” The decision on the venue of the 1990 games will be made during the Olympics next year. Tonight’s meeting will also choose the assistant manager for next year’s New Zealand team. The three candidates are Tay Wilson and Hal Wagstaff, of Wellington, and Invercargill’s Russell Cushen. Sir Ron Scott has already been chosen as the team manager. Mr Wilson was manager of the abbreviated team in Moscow in 1980 and assistant manager in Edmonton in 1978.