Maradona: Bowlers won’t lose competitive edge despite lack of action

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) are not concerned about the national team’s lack of action this year.

Their secretary general Maradona Chok is confident that the bowlers will keep giving their best in training and remain motivated despite facing the unprecedented prospects of ending the year without playing in a single tournament.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the national team have yet to go for any assignment abroad. Currently, most tournaments across the globe have been either suspended or cancelled until November.

The status of two tournaments – Malaysian Open (Nov 22-28) and Thailand Open (Nov 30-Dec 12) – are also hanging in the balance.

“I don’t think there will be any issue of our players lacking motivation just because they have no competitions to compete in,” said Maradona.

“All of them are professionals and know exactly what’s at stake. They are well aware that if they let their guard down, someone is going to take their place.

“So I have no doubt they will continue to perform their best to impress the coaches, even during training.”

Maradona said the MTBC are also planning to increase the frequency of internal roll-offs to gauge their form.

It will play a crucial role in team selection for forthcoming tournaments, especially the Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships in Hong Kong in January next year.

“We have always wanted to conduct a monthly roll-off, perhaps this is the chance for us to do so. We couldn’t do it in the past because of tight tournament schedules.

“We’ll see what the coaches recommend but I believe these roll-offs can easily make up for the lack of tournaments.

“The roll-offs are not just match practice.

“They are as tough as real competitions because we will put our bowlers through some of the trickiest oiling patterns. This should keep them on their toes.”

The national team’s training is set to return to full force with all the senior back-up and national youth members reporting for duty on Monday.

The first-team had resumed their training since June 15.