Four keglers to represent nation at Commonwealth meet

Four keglers have been chosen to represent the country in the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Auckland, New Zealand from February 24 to March 3.

The four keglers selected for the championship organised by the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation (CTBF) are Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana Abang Jamalidon, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Isaac Russell Paul and Muhammad Rafiq Ismail.

National coach Holloway Cheah said the participation of the four in the championships is part of efforts to provide international exposure.

"Though they are young and inexperienced, all of them are in the national elite squad although Muhammad Rafiq had just made it to the elite squad," he said.

Cheah said it would be difficult to judge what will be in store for them in the championships that features some of the world's top bowlers or what to expect from them but expressed confidence that they will win a few medals.

Among countries expected to give Malaysia a tough challenge are England, Singapore, South Africa and Canada.

"To face the tough challenges in the championships, the keglers have been training since last year," said Cheah.

In the last edition held two years ago, Malaysia won two gold, three silver and three bronze medals with the gold medals coming from Zulmazran Zulkifli and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, in the men's and women's singles, respectively.