SOME of the elite bowlers may have failed to shine at the recent National Championships, but national coach Holloway Cheah is cool about it.
The 79-year-old does not want to put his keglers under unnecessary pressure. He took into consideration that some found it hard to keep themselves motivated in the pandemic era.
The national meet was only the second post-pandemic event for the bowlers after the World Championships in Dubai last November.
The national bowlers won two of the four main categories during the event. Former world champion Rafiq Ismail won the men's Open while Alyaa Addini Zulamri topped the girls' event.
The women's Open title went to former international Sharon Koh while Musayyar Khalid ruled the boys' event.
The men's elite squad were the notable underachievers as, except for Rafiq, the rest failed to make the top-three stepladder finals.
Instead, Penang bowler Hariz Adlan and former international Nur Aiman Khairuddin stole the show by coming in second and third, respectively.
"Yes, some of the elite bowlers were not really up to the mark, but it wasn't really that bad," said Holloway.
"They can certainly do better. Although Rafiq won his third national title, he was far from his best.
"Former national bowlers like Sharon and Aiman provided stiff competition, but I also would like to see at the bright side of things.
"This should send out a message to everyone in the team that it's time to double up their efforts.
"But again, we have to take into consideration the circumstances faced by the bowlers. Apart from the long competition layoff, it was hard for the bowlers to push themselves in training as there was nothing to look forward to.
"We used to send our bowlers to the United States and Europe, but it is not viable now due to budget cuts. There is also nothing much happening in terms of tournaments in Southeast Asia."