South Pacific Bowling Carnival in Fiji

Fiji is a country in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. Tourism is the most important earner in Fiji and helping the burgeoning tourism of Fiji (link to: Fiji Tourism) are its colorful festivals and events (link to: Fiji Festivals and Events). The South Pacific Bowling Carnival in Fiji is a prime draw. Fiji attained independence in 1970 from the British. In Fiji, bowling was introduced by the British. Today played in more than thirty seven countries, lawn bowling is believed to have originated in Britain in the 13th century.

With the first bowling club formation in 1924 in Suva, bowling became an integral part of Fiji. In mid 1925 competitions started. The South Pacific Bowling Carnival in Fiji draws participation from many ethnic groups and countries. Players gather from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. The Fiji Bowling Association accepts the first 300 entries for the event, a manageable number considering the three greens and Association capabilities.

The South Pacific Bowling Carnival in Fiji is spread over two weeks in June of every year. The next and 51st South Pacific Bowling Carnival in Fiji will be held in the first half on June 2007.

The Fiji Bowling Association ( FBA ) is affiliated to the National Olympic Committee and World Bowls Board. The Fiji Bowling Association (FBA) secretariat moves with the office holders. There is no fixed headquarters. Ten clubs i.e. Sheraton Royal, Nadi, Lautoka, Tamavua, Rewa, Ba, Vatukoula and Raki Raki, Labasa, Suva, are affiliated with the Fiji Bowling Association.

There are bowling greens with facilities in Suva, Lautoka, Labasa, Denarau Island, Nadi, Raki Raki, Levuka, Ba, Vatukoula, Taveuni and in Sigatoka at The Fijian Resort. There is also a new green at the South Seas Club in Lautoka. Only guests have access to The Fijian Resort facilities.

The forthcoming international competitions are the:

Asia / Pacific Championships 2007 New Zealand and 2009 Hong Kong
Edgeworth Advance Energy Open competition which is held every year.
Inter-Country Test competition which is held every year
World Bowls 2008 in New Zealand
Fiji Bowling Association versus Royal Queensland Bowls Association International Challenge Test series - 2007 in Fiji
Pacific Games 2007 in Samoa
Commonwealth Games 2010 in India
South Seas Bowling Carnival 2007 Lautoka and Nadi in Fiji