Holloway wants bowlers to be mindful of injuries in the US

PETALING JAYA: National bowling head coach Holloway Cheah (pic) wants all his charges to tread with caution when they compete in the United States professional tours starting next week.

The men’s team will be participating in the Professional Bowlers’ Association (PBA) Tour while the women’s side are playing in the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour.

While all of them are pumped up to impress, Holloway was quick to remind them that the US competition stints are meant for them to gear up for the Asian Games in Jakarta from Aug 18-Sept 2.

“I have stressed the importance of competing with care to them in a meeting recently. With just about two months to go before the Asian Games, we really can’t afford to get anyone injured,” said Holloway, who will leave with the women’s team on Friday.

“If any of them feels any nagging strain, inform the coach and stop bowling right away, don’t wait and let the condition get worse.

“We are not taking any chances. That’s why we did not let Timmy (Tan) travel with the team despite having just a minor wrist problem.”

As major changes have been made to the number of events for the Asiad this time, none of the team members can afford even a slight injury.

Instead of the regular 12, only six gold medals will be contested in the trios, team and Masters for both the men and women events at the Asiad while the singles, doubles and All-Events have been scrapped.

But Holloway said there’s no reason for the bowlers not to perform in the US.

“Treading with caution doesn’t mean they should hold themselves back,” said Holloway.

“I’m still expecting them to produce good results.”

The men’s team comprising Rafiq Ismail, Adrian Ang, Alex Liew, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam have left earlier and arrived in the US on Sunday.

They will kick-start their campaign with the Greater Jonesboro Open in Arkansas on Friday, before heading to Texas for the Lubbock Sports Open from June 8-10.

The women’s side are made up by Shalin Zulkifli, Esther Cheah, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Natasha Roslan.

Three PWBA Tour events have been lined up for them.

They will compete in the Louisville Open (June 7-9), Greater Harrisburg Open (June 14-16) and US Women’s Open (June 23-30).