Emma looking to break the jinx in women’s singles event

PETALING JAYA: Policewoman Emma Firyana Saroji is hoping to end Malaysia’s jinx in women’s singles of the lawn bowls competition at the SEA Games.

The Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) have produced many top-notch women players of world standard, but the singles gold medal has remained elusive since the sport was introduced in the Brunei Games in 1999.

In the four editions that the sport has been contested, Malaysia managed to bag three silvers and a bronze in women’s singles.

KL Commonwealth Games 1998 silver medallist Saedah Rahim picked up a silver in Brunei 1999 while two-time Commonwealth Games singles champion Siti Zalina Ahmad won the silver twice – KL 2001 and Korat 2007 – and a bronze in Manila 2005.

But Emma, who won the World Champion of Champions in Warilla, Australia, in 2015, acknowledged that it won’t be easy to end the jinx.

“It is not as easy as people think. Firstly, you cannot underestimate your opponents. The bowlers from Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore have won gold in women’s singles. I am sure they will be well-prepared for KL 2017.

“We have done our home work too. We have had good preparations and we will give our best to win as many golds as possible.

“Secondly, we have to be wary of the new greens we will be playing on at Bukit Kiara. When we compete overseas, we usually travel a week in advance to acclimatise to the lane conditions.

“Then, there is the pressure of competing at home. But it is a good challenge for me and I will not let my country down,” said Emma.

The MLBF are bidding to win the bulk of the eight gold medals up for grabs in men and women’s singles, pairs, triples and fours events.

They have named a strong pool of players – including four former world champions in the squad.

The four are Safuan Said (2008 World Bowls), Mohd Hizlee Abdul Rais (2012 World Champion of Champions), Siti Zalina (2015 World Cup) and Emma (2015 World Champion of Champions).