KUALA LUMPUR – Earlier this month, Syaidatul Afifah, 29, cited the need to find a “more suitable career” when she announced her retirement from the sport after 11 years working to bring glory to the country.
However, the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) is in no hurry to find a replacement for her.
MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok said that this was because of the quality of bowlers they have in the women’s back-up squad.
On plans for the national elite and back-up squads, Chok said the bowlers would undergo monthly roll-offs to keep in shape for next year’s competitions.
He added that the MTBC also plans to rotate the selection of bowlers from the elite and back-up squads for next year’s competitions due to the expected tight schedule.
Chok said the trios’ event would be dropped from the 2020 Sukma in Johor next year, mainly due to the rising cost of organising the Games.
“Five girls in our back-up squad are doing well and are almost on par with the elite bowlers. They need to compete in more international tournaments to gain exposure.”
The five are Fatin Najihah Ahmad Faik, Gillian Lim Siew Giok, Nerosha Keligit, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal and Nur Syazwani Sahar.
“So, we feel there is no urgency to fill the vacant spot in the elite squad,” he told reporters after meeting Olympic Council of Malaysia representatives to provide feedback on the Malaysia Games (Sukma) at Wisma OCM here today. – Bernama, September 19, 2020
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