SEPANG, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) are not making any promises but will strive to get the appropriate rewards for the national team, who managed to return home with two golds and a silver at the recent International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Cup.
Woman bowler Natasha Mohamed Roslan and the men’s team of Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz Mohd Fishol, Muhammad Rafiq Ismail and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam struck gold at the IBF World Cup in Kowloon, Hong Kong but won’t receive any rewards as the tournament is not listed under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM).
MTBC president Datuk Mohd Najeeb Abdullah, in making the pledge, also stressed that he always believed in the players’ abilities, especially with a busy schedule ahead for this year.
“This is quite sad that (there is no reward) but we will strive to appreciate our bowlers’ sacrifices and success by doing something. I am not making promises here, but we will positively work towards this, InsyaAllah.
“After this, there are still many more championships that we will be competing in this year and the schedule is quite compact until December, ending with the Thailand SEA Games (Dec 7-19) in Bangkok,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here today.
Previously, MTCB secretary-general Maradona Chok said that the IBF World Cup was not included in SHAKAM because the National Sports Council (NSC) only permits two tournaments to be listed under the scheme: one at the world level and one at the Asian level.
As such, MTBC had selected the World Championships and Asian Championships to be listed under SHAKAM, meaning bowlers and coaches who win other tournaments will not receive cash rewards.
Meanwhile, Mohd Najeeb, who was elected MTBC president on Sept 29, 2024, described the national team’s success at the 2025 IBF World Cup as a continuation of the efforts put in by the management and bowlers in a bid to achieve greater success on the international stage.
As for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, he acknowledged the growing challenge facing them because the number of gold medals contested will be reduced from 11 to just six.
He is, however, optimistic that Malaysia can fight for the gold medals at the biennial Games.
“In November, we will be competing in the World Championships in Hong Kong… just eight days before the Thailand SEA Games. While the SEA Games will be a platform for the country to bag gold medals, we must also ensure that our bowlers remain competitive at the international level.
“The challenges will surely be tougher but we will continue to focus on the best training system. With our lineup of full-time bowlers, we are confident we can mould them to shine in any championship,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
