World Cup opens in Malaysia

MELAKA, Malaysia - The 2009 QubicaAMF World Cup was ushered in Sunday night with the opening ceremonies, kicking off bowling's largest international competition in terms of the number of countries competing.

The nearly 160 players from 90 countries were celebrated by marching out and each player was personally greeted by Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam, the Chief Minister of the state of Melaka.

The players, including Team USA's Tennelle Milligan and Walter Ray Williams Jr., begin competition Monday morning with the opening eight-game block of qualifying.

All participants will bowl 24 games of qualifying over three days starting with the top 24 men and top 24 women advancing to eight more games Wednesday night. The top eight men and top eight women then advance to Thursday, where the field will be paired down to the top three men and top three women for the semifinals and finals.

USBC will partner with BowlingDigital.com to provide live streaming coverage of the semifinals and finals on BOWL.com on Thursday, Nov. 19 beginning at approximately Midnight Eastern (9 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, Nov. 18). Earlier rounds may be streamed live if possible.