Abas gearing up for Sukma XIX with early preparation
The Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) will not rest on their laurels after their keglers captured the overall champion title in bowling in the 17th edition of the Malaysian Games ( Sukma) in Perlis this year.
Abas vice president Robert Lu said yesterday the Sarawak State Sports Council ( MSNS) had wasted no time and are calling on all sports associations to get their act together and prepare their athletes early when Sarawak play host for the 19th edition of the Malaysian Games ( Sukma XIX) in 2016.
“Out of six boys and six girls who took part in Sukma XVII, four boys and five girls will still be eligible come 2016.
“Sukma Masters gold medallists Jonathan Ding Sagan and Jackelyn Ng will be over aged to participate as so is another member of the team Daniel Tan Yan Han,” he said.
Lu said Jonathan is a member of the Malaysian Elite squad who is currently training at Pyramid Megalanes Sunway, Selangor for the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea from Sept 19 to Oct 4.
“Jonathan, together with another member of the Sarawak Sukma 2014 squad Nerosha Keligit, have also been selected for the 13th World Youth Championship in Hong Kong this August. Nerosha is also currently undergoing training with US coach John Forst,” he disclosed.
Sarawak bowlers will compete in three other international tournaments in August, the Taiwan International Bowling Championship in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, the 17th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic in Mani la, Phi lippines and the USM International Bowling Championship in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
They will also be involved in local tournaments such as Sportexcel National Junior Bowling Circuit, Sarawak Leg at Megalanes Adventure World at King’s Centre next month, Sportexcel National Junior Grand Finals at Pyramid Megalanes in September and Sunway International All- Stars Bowling Championship at Pyramid Megalanes in December.
“We have also identified the bowlers for our Sukma XIX shadow team and they will be undergoing consistent training and competing in local and international tournaments to prepare for 2016,” said Lu.
The boys squad inc lude Christopher Tiong ( National Youth), Mohd Syafiq Sajel i ( Malaysian Back- Up Squad), Anthony Luang Cheng and Mohd Uzair Irsyad (Abas Youth Squad).
Members of the girls team are Nerosha Keligit, Nadine Kong ( National Youth) and Jocelyna Judith Jonathan, Jacelyn Ng and Nur Syafiqah Sajeli (Abas Youth Squad).
He said Abas will be searching for more potential bowlers to form a full squad for the challenge in Sukma XIX.
“The rate of success for Sarawak junior bowlers in the state and national youth development programmes is quite satisfactory. Our bowlers in the national youth squad are currently being trained at Megalanes Adventure World,” said Lu.
Team of coaches under Sarawak head coach Jackson Ting are Angelo Koay, Bong Kihow and Chin Nyit Chong.