Kota Kinabalu: The Hong Kong Police Lawnbowls Club defeated Penampang Active Lawnbowls Association (Persatuan Boling Padang Aktif Penampang) 6-4 in a friendly game held at the Likas Lawnbowl green on Thursday.
The 17-member team captured the Datuk Ladislaus Maluda Friendship Trophy in the one-day game played over a set of two open fours and three open triples.
Ex-Sabah Lawnbowls Association president Ladislaus, who led the home side, said it was the Hong Kong team’s second visit to the State for a friendly since 2016, while he had also returned the favour with a team to Hong Kong in the same year.
He was also pleased to see an international game played on a roof green here for the first time.
“I am really happy that we finally have a new green with a beautiful roof structure built over it.
“It has been a long time coming since the first official request to have a roof built over the green was submitted to Sabah Sports Board when I was then the State body’s president back in 2011,” he said in his speech.
Meanwhile, organising chairman Adrian Roy Siponong, who is also the chairman of Penampang Active Lawnbowl Association, said they plan to host more tournament with international lawnbowls club to promote sports tourism in the State.