MODEST TARGET FOR BOWLERS

Malaysia eyeing one gold due to changes in format

THE national bowling squad are confident of returning with at least one gold medal from the Asian Games in Indonesia this month.

After capping 2017 brilliantly with a gold medal (women’s team of five) at the World Championships in Las Vegas, the squad got 2018 underway with guns blazing.

With podium finishes — Shalin Zulkifli (3rd in Stockholm) and Sin Li Jane (1st in Finland) — from the European Bowling Tour (EBT) in January, hopes are high on the women’s team to deliver the goods in Palembang.

However, due to changes to the scoring format and number of events, national chief coach, Holloway Cheah, had no choice but to come up with a modest one gold target.

As compared to previous editions, which offered 10 gold medals, the Games this year consist of only six (men’s and women’s trios, men’s and women’s team and men’s and women’s Masters).

Despite the minor setback, Holloway is still confident of bettering the achievement of 2014, when Malaysia settled for four silver medals.

When met at the national training centre in Sunway, Holloway, said: “Bowling has always been a gold medal prospect for Malaysia at the Asian Games... only at the last Games (Incheon) we missed out on gold.

“This time however is different as there are only six gold up for grabs, instead of 10 in previous editions. There will be no singles or doubles categories, only trios, team and Masters. This time the scoring system will also be different, and these factors will affect the results a little bit.

“We are looking at a one gold target due to fewer medals on offer. It won’t be easy as the South Korea are strong, Singapore and Japan are strong as well, and so are us.”

Apart from the two podium finishes in Europe, the national bowling camp have also been preparing for the Games, by competing in the United States (Professional Bowlers Association Tour and Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour).

Malaysia’s best result at the Asian Games was in the 2006 edition in Doha, when they won three gold medals and three silver.

(From left) Esther Cheah, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Shalin Zulkifli, Natasha Roslan and Sin Li Jane will be gunning for gold in the women’s event at the Asian Games.