ALEX TOLD TO RELAX

Kegler’s desperation to make Sea Games squad affecting his form

FORMER Asian No 1 bowler Alex Liew aims to come full circle in the Sea Games. The 41-year-old made his Sea Games debut when Kuala Lumpur last hosted it in 2001.

Now, he hopes to be part of the team when the Sea Games return to KL on Aug 19-30.

However, national coach Holloway Cheah has some bad news for the bowler.

Alex has been quiet on the lanes since contributing one gold medal in the team event at the 2015 edition in Singapore and his best show in ‘Open’ events of late was finishing runner-up in last year’s Thailand Open in Bangkok.

“Alex is putting intense pressure on himself to regain his form. He is trying too hard and it is affecting his performance and chances of getting into the Sea Games squad,” Holloway told Timesport yesterday.

“Everyone in the training squad wants to be part of the Sea Games team and it has put them under tremendous pressure to outwit each other and also perform in competitions.”

Alex has competed in every Sea Games since 2001, except for 2003 (Vietnam), 2009 (Laos) and 2013 (Myanmar), where bowling was not contested.

The Selangor-born’s best showing in the Sea Games was three gold medals (doubles, trios and team) in Indonesia in 2003.

Holloway, however, does not want to give up on Alex.

“Alex does very well in training but fails to perform in competitions. I will try my best to help him regain his form.

“I am planning to send him for additional sessions with a psychologist under the National Sports Institute. I hope it will help him make inroads. He should stop putting pressure on himself and start enjoying the game again.”

Alex, who won two gold at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and Rafiq Ismail were the senior bowlers who failed to make the Masters round at the recent National Championships in Bandar Sunway.

The bowlers will report back to Holloway after a short break on Friday.