Li Jane out to defend title in Kentucky

PETALING JAYA: The name of the tournament has changed but national bowler Sin Li Jane’s determination to do well remains the same.

Li Jane was honoured as the “defending champion” at the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour’s Louisville Open by having her picture displayed in the tournament banner at the Fern Valley Strike and Spare in Kentucky.

The Louisville Open has replaced the Lincoln Open, which Li Jane won last year.

Regardless of the change in the name, the 26-yearold Li Jane is all pumped up to be back in the United States as she sets her sights on adding more PWBA Tour titles to her name.

She will launch her title defence in the two-day tournament which begins with the 16-game qualifying round today. The top 32 will progress into the latter stages.

“It’s hard to feel like I’m the defending champion as it’s a different tournament now,” said Li Jane.

“But it’s so nice of PWBA to recognise me this way. This will fire me up to try win my second PWBA title here this week.

“Winning the Lincoln Open last year doesn’t change a single thing.

“I still have a lot to prove and I’m still excited and hungry as ever for more wins.”

The other five national team members competing are Wichita Open champion Shalin Zulkifli, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Esther Cheah, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Natasha Roslan.

The men’s team, who have arrived in US a week earlier, will resume their Professional Bowlers’ Association (PBA) Tour schedule by rolling off the Lubbock Sports Open in Texas tomorrow.

The six bowlers are Rafiq Ismail, Adrian Ang, Alex Liew, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam.