As a nation we share a great passion for sport, and a desire to encourage participation in sporting activities. Nowhere is this truer than in the game of bowling.

Over the years, the World Tenpin Bowling Association has done much to promote the values of sport globally, and to show how these values can inspire us all.

Athletes from 21 nations are gathered here in Jakarta, a city with its own great sporting tradition, you come from Hongkong, Korea, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Denmark, England, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Netherland and Sweden.

I hope that the 8th World Ranking Master 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia will prove just as exciting and inspiring as previous contests, and I send you my best wishes for a succesful and rewarding competition.

I would like to end this address by greeting the collaboration of The State Minister Youth and Sports, President of Indonesia NOC/IOC, The Indonesia Imigration Officials, FIQ/WTBA/ABF/USBC/ETBF and its members, The Organizing Committee, The Main and Co Sponsors and Senayan Sportainment Bowling Center Plaza Senayan, Mulia Hotel for their contribution to make this event a reality.

A big thank you to the hundreds of volunteers, as this event would not have been able to take place without them.

I thank you to those who have organized this great occasion and everyone who has worked tirelessly to organize this great sporting celebration.