NO GOLD SHOW BY DEBUTANT KEGLERS
MTBC’s gamble with squad of new players ends in the gutter
FOR the first time since the 1983 Singapore edition, the national bowlers ended their Sea Games campaign without a gold medal to show.
And considering Malaysia’s status as the regional powerhouse, a modest medal haul of two silver and one bronze in Hanoi is simply not good enough.
However, fans should make an exception this time as the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) made a bold move by fielding all debutants for the biennial event in Hanoi.
Former world champion Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz Fishol and Sin Li Jane were among the big names left out from the Sea Games squad.
Bowler Rafiq Ismail, who boasts seven gold medals to his name, heaped praises on his teammates and hailed their achievements as creditable.
“Overall, I think they have done their best to take on the top bowlers from rival teams,” said Rafiq.
“Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and even the Philippines sent their strongest squads, yet we still managed to finish on the podium.
“If there’s one thing that needs fixing is perhaps their sparing ability. Other than that, it is all good. I watched them in action throughout the week, and both our men and women’s teams dished out energetic performances, and they deserve credit for that.”
Rafiq announced his arrival at the biennial Games seven years ago in Singapore by claiming a treble of titles.
However, he pointed out that it was unfair to compare him with the current squad of first-timers.
“When I made my debut in Singapore, I had already competed in many major tournaments without long intervals in-between.
“Our Sea Games bowlers did not have that benefit due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These bowlers headed straight to the Sea Games without getting enough competitive action.
“Furthermore, I was in a team which had established seniors like Alex Liew and Adrian Ang. This time, all eight of them are debutants.”
Judging from steady performances from the men’s quartet of Hafiz Zainuddin, Syazirol Shamsuddin, Nevern Netaneel and Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli, Rafiq believes any two of the four are are capable of filling in the voids left by Alex and Adrian, who have retired.
“All the four of them can fit in the elite squad anytime, I am sure of that,” said Rafiq.
Meanwhile, MTBC secretarygeneral Maradona Chok said the association stand by their decision to field second stringers.
“Well, we felt they were ready to deliver. We wouldn’t have sent these bowlers if they were not ready,” said Maradona.
“It is a bit disappointing that they did not spring that surprise gold from the team events. “We made a good start in the men’s and women’s first blocks and almost had it.”
Singapore were crowned overall champions with a 3-1-3 haul, followed by the Philippines (2-10), Indonesia (1-1-2), Malaysia (02-1) and Thailand (0-1-0).