Over to you, Ben
Coach Holloway ready to hand over reins to trusted deputy
PETALING JAYA: Is septuagenarian Holloway Cheah finally ready to quit as the national bowling chief coach?
All signs are pointing to that with the long-serving 76-year-old maestro preparing his trusted deputy Ben Heng for the big job.
Ben, 44, has been a loyal servant to the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) since 2007 after ending a 10-year illustrious bowling career with the national team.
And after 11 years, Ben has earned his biggest break when the MTBC selection committee gave him the mandate to lead this year’s World Men’s Championships team to Hong Kong from Nov 23-Dec 5.
MTBC secretary- general Maradona Chok said the selection committee, headed by president Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan, acceded to Holloway’s request for Ben to take charge at the world meet.
“It was Holloway who suggested that Ben handle the men’s team for the World Championships,” said Maradona.
“Holloway will also travel with the team, but Ben will be the one calling the shots. He thinks it’s time for Ben to be more involved in decisions on the team.
“We’re not sure if that would mean Holloway intends to retire soon, but the MTBC are preparing for it because previously he did say the (Indonesia) Asian Games would be his last (major assignment).”
Maradona believes Ben, the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games doubles gold medallist, has what it takes to succeed Holloway.
“Ben is definitely ready. He has vast coaching experience and is very knowledgeable,” said Maradona.
“He’s a lane expert. The team trust him and have benefitted from his decisions on the lanes. He reads the lane transition accurately and helps bowlers to make right adjustments.”
Ben will have a big responsibility should Holloway decide to relinquish his position.
Holloway, the 2004 National Coach of the Year, has guided Malaysian bowlers to all the major titles including the World Championships, the World Cup and the Asian Games.
He took up coaching in 1984 and assisted Canadian Sid Allen, the national coach from 1991-2000.
Holloway has been the national head coach since early 2001 when American Mike Moore left the squad after just four months in charge.
He resigned after guiding the women’s team to their first world title in Kuala Lumpur in 2003, but his retirement was short-lived.
He returned for a second stint in 2004, taking over the team from his predecessor Chris Batson following a controversy and picked up where he left off by guiding Malaysia to further success in the sport.