KUALA LUMPUR: The national bowling squad are in for an exciting period with a number of world class events coming up in the next couple of months.
Following the bowlers' impressive showing at the recent Indonesia Asian Games (with a haul of two gold and two silver), some are now hoping to stamp their marks on the international stage.
On Saturday, former AMF World Cup winner Syafiq Ridhwan Abd Malek and Sin Li Jane qualified for stage two of the European Bowling Tour's Lucky Larsen Masters in Malmo, Sweden.
The tough lane conditions, however, prevented the two bowlers from advancing further in the competition.
Later this month (Sept 22-28), all 12 podium bowlers — Shafiq, Li Jane, Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan, Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Ahmad Muaz Fishol, Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Shalin Zulkifli, Esther Cheah and Natasha Roslan — will play in the World Bowling Tour in Bangkok.
Following the Bangkok assignment, Shalin and Li Jane will travel to South Korea for the Samho Cup (Sept 29-Oct 5), while Asian Games gold medallist Rafiq Ismail will compete in the US Open on Oct 24-31.
"The exposure to high level competitions is the catalyst to bring our bowlers to the next level. It is very crucial," said Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary general Maradona Chok.
"The upcoming tournaments are all featuring some of the top players in the world.
"These tournaments will also keep up the intensity and performance of our bowlers, so that they will be ready at all times, even when playing in world class competitions."
Also taking place in November is the AMF World Cup in Las Vegas on Nov 4-11 and the Men’s World Championships in Hong Kong on Nov 23-Dec 5.