Three early meets will be crucial for veteran Alex to prove his worth
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran bowler Alex Liew (pic) aims to come full circle in the SEA Games.
The 41yearold made his SEA Games debut when Malaysia last played host in 2001.
Now, 16 years later, he still wants to be part of the team when the Games return to KL in August.
“Not many athletes would have lasted this long. I was there when Malaysia hosted the Games in Kuala Lumpur and the Games are back here again ... I don’t want to miss the action,” said Alex.
Alex competed in every Games since 2001, except for Laos 2009 and Myanmar 2013 when the sport wasn’t contested. He has won medals in every Games he took part in.
But the veteran admitted that he’ll need to prove himself this time after going through a lean spell last year.
Except for a runnerup spot in the Thailand Open last April, Alex did not achieve any other podium finishes at all.
In fact, the 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medallist failed to even make the team for the Asian Tenpin Bowling in Hong Kong last year.
No wonder Alex wants to do well in the year’s first three international tournaments.
He will compete in the Emir Cup in Doha, Qatar (Feb 27March 5), Bahrain Open in Manama ( March 712) and the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Munich (March 1825).
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) are using these tournaments to decide on the national bowling team for this year. They may name six men and six women in March.
“A minor back problem affected my game last year, but I’m good now and raring to go. There are many good bowlers around ... so, I must step up,” said Alex.
“The next three tournaments are important. It’ll be used to decide on the members for the national team this year.
“We have eight bowlers in the men’s national team. They may drop two or they may keep all eight of us. So, it’s important to give a good showing in the three international tournaments.
“I’ve not lost the joy of bowling, yet,” added the southpaw, who is also the most senior bowler in the national team.
The others in the men’s team are Rafiq Ismail, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Timmy Tan, Muhd Nur Aiman Khairuddin, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Ahmad Muaz Fishol.