Bowlers optimistic of podium finish
Abas vice president expects Malaysians to do well at 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling C’ship
KUCHING: The 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championship which started yesterday at Megalanes Sarawak, E-Mart Batu Kawa here attracts 19 teams from 10 countries - Australia, Singapore, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Macau China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea and Malaysia.
All countries except Bahrain are sending a boys and a girls team comprising four players for the championship.
Malaysia team manager Robert Lu, who is Amateur ( Tenpin) Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) vice president, told The Borneo Post that Sukma gold medallist Jelian Lim is the only Sarawak player in the national team.
On the prospect of the Malaysian teams in the championship, Lu said he is optimistic they would do well and expects at least a podium finish for the teams.
“This is a very high level championship and the team to watch out for is Korea but teams from Singapore and the Philippines are also expected to mount a serious challenge,” said Lu, who is also Malaysian Tenpin
This is a very high level championship and the team to watch out for is Korea but teams from Singapore and the Philippines are also expected to mount a serious challenge. Robert Lu, Malaysia team manager
Bowling Congress ( MTBC) vice president.
This is the first time Sarawak is hosting this prestigious biennial championship which was last held in Manila in 2017.
The tournament was declared open by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The chief minister congratulated Abas and the organising committee for taking up the challenge of hosting a premier Asian bowling championship.
“Your endeavours in promoting the sport as well as fostering goodwill and comradeship are truly inspiring.
“The dedication, sacrifice as well as time put in by the organising committee is truly admirable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abas president Sunny Si said Abas is proud and honoured to host the Asian Youth Championships for the first time in Sarawak.
“We are indebted to MTBC president Datuk Dr P S Nathan paving the way and supporting Sarawak’s bid to host this championships and I would also like to thank the State government for its support and the hardworking organising committee for sacrificing their valuable time and effort to make this championships a successful one,” he said.
Si was also happy to be reunited with a number of officials including Sid Allen and Danny Santos who were representing their respective countries at the AYBC in 1996.
One hundred and thirty bowlers and officials are participating in the championships that will end next Thursday.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu, Sarawak Sports Corporation ( SSC) CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, Asian Bowl ing Federat ion honorary life president Vivian Lau and MTBC secretary Maradona Chok.