Everyone must earn their spots

is no such thing as favouritism in bowling as both the national elite and backup members must earn their spots on merit for the Asian Youth Championships (AYC) in Kuching on Apr 19-25.

Last year’s World Championships gold medallist Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam and World Youth Championships girls’ all-events winner Nur Syazwani Sahar have not been spared as they too will have to participate in a five-day rolloff, beginning tomorrow.

Following the completion of the roll-off, the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) will finalise a squad comprising four boys and four girls.

A total of 12 bowlers have been short-listed for the roll-off.

“Since last year, we have been using roll-offs to gauge the bowlers’ forms ahead of tournaments.

“We want to push the standard of our bowlers to the highest level. In this way, no one will get complacent.

“Elite members are no longer guaranteed spots in priority championships, while backup bowlers have the opportunity to impress selectors.

“Even for this AYC, both Tun Hakim and Syazwani are not spared from the roll-off,” said MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok yesterday.

The other boys vying for spots in the team are Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli, Hafiz Zainuddin, Nevern Netaneel, Akmal Qayyum Ali Hanafiah and Shafiy Zaim.

Syazwani, Gillian Lim, Puteri Nurul Dini Faudzi and siblings, Nurul Alyssa Junaidi and Nurul Ayunni Junaidi are those picked for the girls’ roll-off.

The eight-member squad will be finalised on Mar 1 before they head to Kuching two weeks prior to the competition.

At the 2017 Manila edition, the team achieved a haul of one gold, three silver and four bronze.

Malaysia’s best-ever haul of 63-1 was achieved at the 2015 Macau edition.