Adrian leads Malaysian surge

FORMER Asian champion Adrian Ang leads the H.H. Emir Cup as nine other national bowlers are also on course to advancing to the next stage in their first tournament of the year in Doha.

The 29-year-old Adrian posted an eight-game total of 1,988, averaging 248.50, to top the overseas pool with four more qualifying squads remaining in the tournament, where the men and women play under once category.

Women bowlers are, however, given eight handicap pins for each game. The top 32 bowlers — eight each in the local and overseas pools and the top 16 from the mixed section will make the next stage.

Former Malaysian Open winner Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi was 21 pins behind Adrian at second position, followed by Zulmazran Zulkifli (third – 1,942) and Natasha Roslan (fifth – 1,915).

Those in contention for qualification from the mixed pool were Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (fourth – 1,884), Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek (seventh – 1,874), Ahmad Muaz Fishol (eighth – 1,874), Shalin Zulkifli (11th – 1,866), Sin Li Jane (12th – 1,844) and Timmy Tan (15th – 1,837).

“I am so far happy with the performances of the bowlers in their first event of the season. They are still a work in progress ahead of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games,” said team manager George Tan from Doha yesterday.

“Despite being their first outing of 2017, they did not show any signs of nervousness. National coach Holloway Cheah prepared them well for the challenge.

“I am hoping that our bowlers will be on the podium on Sunday.”

Syaidatul Afifah said she has two personal reasons to do well in Doha.

“The first is to repay the National Sports Institute (NSI) for including me into the Podium Programme recently. As for the other, I want to make amends after failing to impress in the Qatar Open last December,” said Syaidatul.

The qualifying round ends tomorrow.