BOWLING queen Shalin Zulkifli, who achieved countless feats and significant firsts, is regarded as Malaysia’s greatest-ever kegler.
However, all good things must come to an end in sports especially when age is not on your side anymore.
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) served a surprise yesterday when they did not pick the 41-year-old for the Women’s World Championships in Las Vegas on Aug 22-31.
Instead, the congress selected 22-year-old Nerosha Keligit for the world meet along with seasoned campaigners Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Natasha Roslan, Esther Cheah and Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi.
The decision not to pick Shalin could now mark the end of the three-time world champion’s tenure with the national team.
But can the women’s team now survive in Las Vegas?
Shalin is not only a great motivator but also a bowler who has the ability to fire up her teammates when they are down during competitions.
MTBC must now look for a new leader in the women’s team to replace Shalin in Las Vegas.
Understandably, Nerosha was delighted to make the squad.
“It feels surreal, it has always been my dream to compete in the world meet,” Nerosha told Timesports yesterday.
“I believe I was selected because of my overall performance since I made the senior squad last year.
“Hopefully, I will be able to contribute and help the team defend the gold in Las Vegas,” added the Sarawakian, who was runner-up at the Thailand Open in April.
At the 2017 edition, also in Las Vegas, the Shalin-led Malaysia recaptured the team gold after 10 years.
Shalin was also part of the 2003 winning team in Kuala Lumpur.
On what it felt like to make the cut ahead of someone as prominent as Shalin, Nerosha said: “Shalin has always been my idol and I look up to her.
“To be able to make the cut is definitely a huge boost for me, I hope I can live up to the expectation... big shoes to fill,” Nerosha added.
Shalin, who made her world meet debut in 1995 in Reno, also did not feature in the 2011 and 2015 editions.
The world meet-bound bowlers will begin centralised training today.
Those selected will skip this week’s Hong Kong Open and the Interstate Championships that starts on July 25.
However, they will compete in the National Championships later this month.