The chairwoman of the Hong Kong, China Tenpin Bowling Congress, Vivien Lau, said she hopes the SAR can make the podium in front of home fans at the Kai Tak Sports Park Bowling Centre.
All 10 Hong Kong players but one are former members of the SAR’s squad, with Daniel Tse the exception, as he plays for the team at the top level as a part-time athlete.
The rest, including Boco Wong, are taking part as amateurs in the three-day tournament.
Wong was into bowling since primary school, and he joined the local tryouts for the Games in April to test himself at this major event.
“We quit and then we came back again, so it’s actually honourable to be back in the team again and to represent Hong Kong,” Wong told RTHK.
He said he’s also aiming for a spot on the podium, as he’ll play more of a supportive role next to teammates Rickle Kam, Leo Tse, Daniel Tse and Michael Mak.
Wong noted that Kam and Mak are experienced players who took part in past Asian Games.
“They gave me a lot of inspiration and also gave me some ideas on how to tackle the lanes because we have two different patterns,” he said.
His teammate Zoe Tam, on the women’s side, said this will mark the first time in seven years that she’ll represent Hong Kong.
“I’m a bit nervous and scared, but I still feel the excitement that I can bowl in a competition again,” she said.
Tam called the return “amazing” and shared that the team brings their own personalised equipment, like bowling balls as each are catered to their fingers and also lane conditions.
She said she hopes their participation will spark people’s interest in the sport.
“I really want to inspire people into to bowling, because I think now bowling is not a really public sport,” Tam said.
“I think it’s a good time to show the public that we can bowl together.”