Tun Hakim ready to shine in dream PBA Tour debut

PETALING JAYA: National bowler Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam’s (pic) dream of meeting his idol Pete Weber, an American Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Famer, is about to come true soon.

The 19-year-old will be making his debut in the famed PBA Tour next week, alongside seniors Rafiq Ismail, Adrian Ang, Alex Liew, Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Ahmad Muaz Fishol where they will compete in the Greater Jonesboro Open in Arkansas from June 1-3 and the Lubbock Sports Open in Texas from June 8-10.

The six-member team led by coach Ben Heng left for the United States yesterday, with Tun Hakim in high spirits.

The Asian Youth champion only knew he made the trip at the eleventh hour after the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress ( MTBC) decided to reward him for his impressive displays recently.

Besides repaying the MTBC selectors’ faith in him, Tun Hakim also relishes catching up with the 55-year-old Weber, who boasts 37 PBA Tour titles and 85 perfect games (300) in his dazzling career.

“Frankly, I still can’t believe my luck,” said Tun Hakim.

“I’m a big fan of the PBA Tour and even subscribe to the PBA.com live stream to watch the pros in action.

“Now, I’m going to be part of the PBA Tour action too, so it’s really a dream come true.

“It’s the pinnacle of professional bowling.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to meet Pete Weber in person in one of those events. I’ve been watching him from childhood, I really like his bowling style. It’ll be awesome to finally get to see him.”

Tun Hakim is ready to show he’s no pushover against the more illustrious professionals.

“For me, it’s going to be more than just a trip to gain experience. Flying all the way there to make up the numbers doesn’t do myself and the selectors justice,” he stressed.

Asked if he has a target, Tun Hakim said his goal is to make the top four stepladder-finals.

The PBA Tour competition stint is part of the national bowling squad’s preparation for the Jakarta Asian Games from Aug 18-Sept 2.

The women’s team comprising Shalin Zulkifli, Esther Cheah, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi and Natasha Roslan will also be heading to the US on June 1 for the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour.

They will compete in three events – the Louisville Open (June 7-9), Greater Harrisburg Open (June 14-16) and US Women’s Open (June 23-30).