BOWLERS Rafiq Ismail and Timmy Tan have justified their spots for
next month’s Asian Games in Incheon after both impressed national coach
Holloway Cheah in the just-concluded World Youth Championships in Hong
Kong.
Rafiq and Timmy, who were members of last year’s World Championships squad, helped Malaysia clinch a silver medal in the team event in that competition.
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) is expected to finalise its 12-member squad for the Asian Games this week.
Guangzhou Asian Games double gold medallist Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Syimir Abdul Razak, Jonathan Ding Sagan and former AMF World Cup champion Syafiq Ridhwan Malek are those in contention for the assignment in Incheon.
Holloway will likely opt for Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Syafiq Ridhwan along with Rafiq and Timmy to make up the six-member team.
Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane and Esther Cheah are expected to lead the women’s team while Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Radin Nur Najwa Arifah Radin Dzulfakar, Natasha Roslan and Victoria Chin will battle for the other three spots.
Holloway, who is currently testing his bowlers on the tournament’s short and long oiling patterns, said: “Based on my assessment, the long oil is easier than the short oil. The Asian Games will be using the ‘Fire’ oiling patterns, which is more slick and durable. My bowlers are responding well but are focusing more on short oil.
“It will be my last Asian Games as at 72, I don’t think I will be coaching the national team in the next edition. It is going to be tough as South Korea, the reigning world champions, would want to clean sweep the 12 gold medals on offer.
“Malaysia, as the second best in Asia, are capable of stopping them. Our best bet for gold will be in the opening events, where normally most teams will struggle on the lanes. Of course, we are also targeting the men’s and women’s team events.”
On the selection of bowlers for the Asian Games, MTBC secretary Cheah Ban Cheng said those who bowled in the world youth meet will be considered for the competition.
“The boys’ team comprising Rafiq, Timmy, Jonathan and back-up bowler Ahmad Muaz Fishol did very well in Hong Kong and we are seriously looking at them. We will also assess the bowlers in the girls’ team.”
Ban Cheng said those selected will be grounded from competitions until the Asian Games.
“We want them to focus solely on making an impact in Incheon. We will also hold a team-building camp for those selected.”
By AJITPAL SINGH - NST
Rafiq and Timmy, who were members of last year’s World Championships squad, helped Malaysia clinch a silver medal in the team event in that competition.
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) is expected to finalise its 12-member squad for the Asian Games this week.
Guangzhou Asian Games double gold medallist Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Syimir Abdul Razak, Jonathan Ding Sagan and former AMF World Cup champion Syafiq Ridhwan Malek are those in contention for the assignment in Incheon.
Holloway will likely opt for Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Syafiq Ridhwan along with Rafiq and Timmy to make up the six-member team.
Shalin Zulkifli, Sin Li Jane and Esther Cheah are expected to lead the women’s team while Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Radin Nur Najwa Arifah Radin Dzulfakar, Natasha Roslan and Victoria Chin will battle for the other three spots.
Holloway, who is currently testing his bowlers on the tournament’s short and long oiling patterns, said: “Based on my assessment, the long oil is easier than the short oil. The Asian Games will be using the ‘Fire’ oiling patterns, which is more slick and durable. My bowlers are responding well but are focusing more on short oil.
“It will be my last Asian Games as at 72, I don’t think I will be coaching the national team in the next edition. It is going to be tough as South Korea, the reigning world champions, would want to clean sweep the 12 gold medals on offer.
“Malaysia, as the second best in Asia, are capable of stopping them. Our best bet for gold will be in the opening events, where normally most teams will struggle on the lanes. Of course, we are also targeting the men’s and women’s team events.”
On the selection of bowlers for the Asian Games, MTBC secretary Cheah Ban Cheng said those who bowled in the world youth meet will be considered for the competition.
“The boys’ team comprising Rafiq, Timmy, Jonathan and back-up bowler Ahmad Muaz Fishol did very well in Hong Kong and we are seriously looking at them. We will also assess the bowlers in the girls’ team.”
Ban Cheng said those selected will be grounded from competitions until the Asian Games.
“We want them to focus solely on making an impact in Incheon. We will also hold a team-building camp for those selected.”
By AJITPAL SINGH - NST
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