BBC seals new bowls deal

The BBC has secured exclusive television rights for the World Bowls Tour until 2005, it confirmed on Friday.

The new three-year deal will ensure coverage of the World Championship and the International Open, the leading events on the indoor calendar.

After brokering the new deal, World Bowls Tour chief executive Nigel Oldfield paid tribute to wholesale changes in the indoor game this season.

He said: "We are very pleased to have signed a new contract with the BBC, especially as so many people who love the game have put such a huge amount of time and effort into making the changes work.

"We now have a new style game for TV that has helped us revitalise the sport and increased its appeal."

The BBC's head of general sport, Barbara Slater, added: "Bowls enjoys a dedicated and passionate following and we are delighted to continue to support the sport by televising live coverage of its two premier tournaments."

The 2002 World Championship final, hosted by Mary Rhodes, will be shown on BBC2 on Sunday 20 January 1500 GMT.