Malaysian bowling enjoyed a blast this year. From the Asian to the professional scenes, local bowlers made heads turn by blazing the alley with dominant show to make up for awfully quiet times during Covid-19 and the post years. It was a total transformation this year as they made the loudest cheer, especially, Sin Li Jane who stood out as the star by stealing the show at the Professional Women Bowling Association in the United States. She did not win one or two in a demanding professional circuit but four, including the two majors – the US Open and Tour Championship. She also pocketed two other Open pro titles – the Greater Nashville Classic and Journal Rockford Open and eventually was named PWBA Player of the Year – a rare achievement. And then came their outstanding show at the Asian Championships, where they burned the lanes with eight gold medals to emerge as the overall champions.

Naturally, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary general Maradona Chok was smiling ear to ear. “2024 is truly a tremendous year for Malaysian bowling as our bowlers achieved a number of historical milestones,” said a beaming Maradona. “Li Jane became the first Asian to win the coveted PWBA Player of the Year, and helped the team to the best ever medal haul by any team in the Asian Championships.” “The Malaysian team won eight golds and a total of 17 medals in the Asian meet. It will be an achievement that will be hard to match,” he said. “Our men’s team (led by Mohd Rafiq Ismail) are Asia’s best for the third edition running (2019, 2023 and 2024).

The sizzling run this year has whetted the appetite of the bowlers to strike it right at the World Championships in Hong Kong next year, which will be their major event. “Our current team is the best ever and hopefully we will continue to build on it next year as we aim for the world meet,” said Maradona. It is crucial that MTBC with the support of NSC (National Sports Council) to maintain the numbers in the team and continue building the back-up bowlers to world class standard.” The only setback this year is the passing of MTBC’s president Datuk Dr P. S. Nathan but Maradona promised the legacy build under him would continue. “MTBC under the new leadership of Datuk Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah want to continue the legacy. A number of programmes are being planned to ensure we stay among the best in the world. “NSC have given us great support as usual and we managed to finish the year with great success. It is one of the best years we have ever had if not the best.” Currently, there are 19 bowlers under the Podium programme and another 15 in the youth department. “Ideally we hope to have 12 men and 12 women in the Podium squad and 12 boys and 12 girls in the national youth,” said Maradona. “This will give us the numbers to keep the continuity, and not to worry too much when athletes retire when their time comes.