KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Holloway Cheah is not taking any risk ahead of the Asian Games in August as he plans to select seven bowlers each for the men and women’s teams for a training camp in July.
Only six men and six women will be named for the Asian Games in Indonesia.
Holloway said the two additional bowlers will compliment the squad in case of injuries.
“I cannot afford any injuries due to the limited events and the format change in the men and women’s team competitions.
"Unlike previous editions, the scores of all six bowlers will be accounted for in the team event. So, if one bowler picks up an injury during the games, we will not stand a chance,” said Holloway, adding that the bowlers will be scanned thoroughly for injuries ahead of the bowling competition in Palembang.
The other four events to be contested at the Asian Games are the men and women's trios and masters.
"I will not even take a risk on bowlers who are carrying minor injuries. Having an injured player on board, will reduce our chances of winning a gold medal by at least 60 percent.
"We had this problem in the past as bowlers did not inform us that they were injured. Even my daughter (Esther Cheah) didn’t tell me she was injured during the 2014 Incheon edition,” said Holloway, who will soon name 14 bowlers for the training camp.
He explained that selection will not be limited to the 12 bowlers in the Podium Programme.
“Others who do well at the ongoing Sarawak Open, Jaya Ancol Championships (April 29-May 5) and the Singapore Open (June 3-9) along with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour and Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour tournaments in June will also be considered,” he added.
The team, who won four silver in 2014, hope to achieve the one gold target set by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) in Palembang