However, the governing body do believe that inclusion on sport's biggest stage will come "sooner rather than later".

Bowling was perhaps the least expected inclusion on a list of eight nominated sports which presented to Olympic organisers in Tokyo last month.

There had been talk of gathering momentum, particularly due to the sport's popularity in Japan, but it ultimately joined squash and wushu in being cut from the proposed additions yesterday.

Baseball and softball, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing were the five selected, with a final decision due at next summer's International Olympic Committee Session in Rio de Janeiro.

"It was a great opportunity to have been considered as one of the final eight sports from the initial list of 26," said World Bowling President Kevin Dornberger.

"For World Bowling this remains a huge milestone in pursuing our Olympic quest and we believe that this has laid the foundations for a brighter future ahead."

Dornberger added: "The process has made our sport grow stronger and we have learned some invaluable lessons from working on our campaign.

"While we may not have been successful this time, we will continue to develop our sport worldwide.

"As part of our Bowling World Plan, we have many initiatives still to be implemented such as fostering and encouraging the development of youth participation, especially for girls.

"We strongly believe that this will result in increasing the worldwide recognition of our sport – the brightest days of bowling are ahead of us.”

Bowling is a sport with experience on the multi-sport stage, having appeared at eight editions of the Asian Games after making its debut in Bangkok in 1978.

Many more important events are scheduled within the sport in coming months and years, including the Women’s World Championships in Abu Dhabi in December of this year and the 2017 World Championships in Kuwait.

"Along this journey, World Bowling has received so much support from our partners, fans and athletes," the governing body added.

"This outpour of support has strengthened the bowling community and inspired new generations of athletes.

"We would like to thank all of the supporters for their commitment to the sport of bowling and of course we thank the Tokyo Organising Committee and wish them the very best for what we are certain will be excellent Olympic Games in 2020."

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