KUALA LUMPUR – Has Malaysian bowling finally found the man to do the job former national head coach Holloway Cheah did outstandingly for over two decades, before calling it a day last November?
The answer, for now at least, is a resounding yes, as former national kegler Ben Heng has shown promising signs of taking his place.
Holloway, the national coach from 2001-2003 and 2004-2022, is no stranger to the Malaysian bowling scene, having guided and inspired national bowlers to numerous titles in the World Championships, Asian Games, and SEA Games.
Ben seems to have passed his first audition – the 26th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships (ATBC) in Hong Kong – with flying colours, leaving Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress secretary-general and team manager Maradona Chok gushing with praise.
He said Ben’s first stint as coach was impressive, especially in guiding the men’s team to dominate the field by bagging four golds, three silvers, and three bronzes.
“He (Ben) has shown that he has what it takes to be the man in charge,” Maradona said.
National bowling ace Muhammad Rafiq Ismail emerged as the most successful bowler, taking home four golds – at the Masters, All Events; in his team with Syafiq Ridhwan, Mohd Syazirol Shamsudin, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, Timmy Tan, and Ahmad Muaz Fishol; and trio with Timmy and Muaz.
While the men’s squad enjoyed a splendid outing in Hong Kong, Maradona admitted that the women’s team had a difficult time hitting the heights.
The women’s squad brought home two silvers through Natasha Roslan in the singles event and youngsters Gillian Lim, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal, and Puteri Nurul Dini Faudzi in the trios.
“We had a tough time in the women’s category against the very strong Singaporean and South Korean teams, but we are rebuilding, and it’s looking good with the young ones delivering a silver in the trios,” said Maradona.
Though they were unable to retain the overall champion’s status in the ATBC, the Malaysian team managed to win 12 medals in total – four golds, five silvers, and three bronzes – one more than in their previous outing in Kuwait four years ago with six golds, one silver, and four bronzes.
Singapore emerged overall champions of the 26th edition of the ATBC with a 5-3-3 haul, pushing Malaysia into second spot. – Bernama, January 22, 2023
