The unfulfilled vision of badminton hero Tan Aik Mong

The unfulfilled vision of badminton hero Tan Aik Mong: The 70-year-old died yesterday after a battle with liver cancer.

RADZI THE HOME GROWN CHAMPION

The Masters Graded Open winners (from left)Muhd Firdaus Idris (second placed) Ahmad Radzi Abu (winner) and third place Ben Heng with MTBC Council member TL Wong

Familiarity with the centre gave bowler Ahmad Radzi Abu the edge to bag the 2^nd U Mobile Pesta Wilayah Day bowling Graded Masters Open title this evening at the Mega Lanes Kuala Lumur, Endah Parade.

The 44-year League bowler who bowls five times a week in Leagues at the centre had a total 1414 for an average of 235 to win the title and RM1,200 cash prize.

Mohd Firdaus Idris, a 16-year youth bowler from Kuala Lumpur finished second with his total of 1377 to take home RM600.

Ben Heng, a national coach with the MTBC national coaching setup, finished third with his total of 1336 to win RM 300.

Radzi a technician with the Universiti Malaya, a late bowler who took up the game only ten years ago said that it was his third one-day titles at the centre in the last two months.

 “I am having a lucky streak these two months, but today win is my biggest prize money I have found,” said Firdaus.

 “I suppose my familiarity with the centre finally paid off. But I am surprised at my average today (235), as my normal average is only 200. I suppose everything fell in place today.”

 Among other former national bowlers who competed included Jimmy Lee and Azidi Ameran.

 The Wilayah Day championship on the first day saw it dedicated to 70 pairs of physically challenged bowlers, while on Sunday the Masters Open category event held for 90 participants.

 The 70 pairs of physically challenged bowlers competed in the vision impaired, amputee, wheelchair and little people categories.

Mohd Rizuan Abd Rahim & Nor Haslina Abdul Rahim, winners of the Little People Category posing with KLTBA deputy president Geroge Heng (standing left) and U Mobile CEO Dr Kaizad Heejee

The championship also saw the selection of the physically challenged for training before the final squad is names for three championships this year - namely the World International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) championship to be hosted by Malaysia in October, the second Asia Paralympics Council (APC) Cup (date to be confirmed) and the Asean Para Games in Jakarta in November.

 Coach for the championships, Steven Teng said that they will be calling selected bowlers for training soon and will name the final squad after accessing them further.

 "We will most probably call the top four or five pairs in each category for training before the final selection is made for the respective championships,” said Steven.

 “We have a good pool of bowlers who have showed tremendous talent and this augurs well for the overall strength of the team for the various championships.”

 U Mobile CEO Dr Kaizad Heejee gave away the prizes to the Physically Challenged bowlers. Each winning pair of the four categories received U Mobile phone besides cash prize money of RM400.  Others who supported the tournament were Canon, 100Plus, Ambank, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Mesuma.

RESULTS:

Masters Open (Graded)

1.    Ahmad Radzi Abu – 1414 2. Muhd Firdaus Idris – 1377  3. Ben Heng - 1336

Physically Challenged (doubles over three games):

TPB2/3 category (Partial Blind bowlers)

1.    JJ Team (Jay Ong & Jsan Soo) - 1,055 2. Balldozer Team (Noraini Azlin & Ku Izham) -1,021 3. M16 Team (Idriyal & Jackie Choo) - 1,006

TPB1 & TPB2/3 category (Blind & Partially Blind)

1.    1&3 Team (Lee Siew Moi & Jsan Soo) - 805 2. Intan Team (Ramlan Husin & Fadzillah) - 804 3. Team Boss (Suhairi & Rosli Sidek) - 800

Little people category:

1.    Fighter Team (Mohd Rizuan Abd Rahim & Nor Haslina Abdul Rahim -807 1. Santai Team (Borhan Seman & Siti Hajar Tumin - 807  3. Tak Tahu (Azahari Abdullah & Saidatunnisak Ishak -768.

TPB8 & TPB 9/10 Category (Wheelchair and Amputee):

1.    Cool Team (Salmi & Noor Lizah Salman) - 1,019 2. Wong Nap Team (Wong  Kee Soon & Napsiah Salleh) -  928; 3. Bujang Senang Team  (Jimmy Siang & Peter) -896

KANG & ZANDRA ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

19TH MARCH 2011

Johor’s Kang Bo Long and Selangor’s Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, first time winners of the 35th Astro Malaysian National Championship had different reasons for their triumph at the Sunway Mega Lanes this afternoon.

2011 Champioins Zandra Aziela & Kang Bo Long

Kang went into the stepladder final as the challenger to play Kuala Lumpur’s Yusuf Abdul Raof who was the top seed and defeated him over two games – 226-176; 244-191.

Women Master Champion - Zandra Aziela

Zandra, on the other hand, who was the top in the final, had to play in the deciding second game to beat challenger from Sarawak’ Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana 205-212; 195-179.

Kang, was out to prove that he still deserves a place in the national team setup after having been left out because of a decision by the National Sports Council (NSC) to disband the national back-up squad as part of their cost cutting measures.

Malaysian National Champion Kang Bo Long

In fact, Yusuf too was in the back-squad, but is still with the national team setup as he dropped to the youth squad as he was only 19 still eligible to be in the youth Under-21 squad which was still supported by NSC.


Kang, 25, was obviously over aged and was not eligible for the youth squad and not good enough for the national squad.

Kang Bo Long being interviewed by the Media after winning the National Champioin title at Sunway Megalanes

“I was really disappointed when the back-up squad was disbanded and was not good enough to make the national squad,” said Kang who hails from Johor but works in the Pro Shop at Endah Parade in Sri Petaling

“I was determined to prove myself in the national championship with the hope that I will be reconsidered for a place in the national team or for the back-up squad to be re-established.

“It was a do-or-die mission for me and I am glad that it all worked out well for me. I was a little nervous when I was up against Adrian as he was an experienced and talented bowler. But I stayed focused on my goal and did well.

“As for the final, I went in confident to beat Yusuf, although it had to take me two games to defeat him as the challenger,” said Kang who won RM7, 000 for his title.

“It really feels great to have won the National title for the first time and just hope that my victory will pave the way for me to be with the national setup again.”

Kang Bo Long recieving the Natioinal Champion trophies from MTBC President Dato Dr Nathan

Yusuf on losing in the final despite being top seed said that he was nervous.

“Kang was more composed and experienced. I tried my best, but I just could not get my game going. I am still happy that I made the final,” said Yusuf.

Zandra was delighted that she because a first time winner after trying for so many times and despite having won the Malaysian Open title in 2007 and finishing runners-up in 2008.

“This is my first I qualified for the National Open final and I am elated that I won it finally. Besides, it is a great early birthday present for myself,” said Zandra who turns ll25 on March 29.

“Dayang did well to give me a fright when she defeated me in the first game, but I was determined not to allow this chance to win the title slip by after finally having made the final," said Zandra who won RM3,000 cash prize.

“With victory, I hope that I will have a good year with the national team,” said Zandra who two bronzes medals (doubles and team) in the Interstate championship which ended on Friday.

Dayang on the other hand said that she tried her best, but experience saw Zandra edge her.

“I may not have won the title, but I am still happy that I qualified for the final despite being up against many experienced national players. I did well to win the first game against Zandra, but the lanes were drying up fast in the second and I had problems,” said Dayang who won three gold medals (All-events, Team and doubles) in the Interstate championship.

Dayang in the first stepladder had defeated second seed Zatil Iman 221-195.


In the Milo Youth Boys Open Masters final Chong Jun Foo of Sarawak captured the Champion Title with a total of 1682 averaging  207.8.

Penang’s Kho Beng Khai and another Sarawakian Aris Ardila finished 2nd and 3rd with 1628 & 1579 respectively. 

Pahang’s Faten Najihah took the Milo Girls Open Masters Champion with 1622 over 8 games averaging 202.8 , while Sabah’s Steffira Zeander Greater and Perak’s Fatin Azmira came in 2nd and 3rd with 1616 & 1595 respectively. In the Milo Youth Boy’s Graded finals, Johor’s Amirul Hafiz Noor Hiazat emerged champion with his total of 1552 over eight games, Kuala Lumpur bagged the silver and bronze through Muhd Aqil Izamudin and Mohd Syazwan with their total of 1535 and 1531 respectively.

However for the bronze medal, it was joint winners, as Negri Sembilan’s Muhammad Shahir had identical total scores with Muhd Aqil.

In the Milo Youth Girl’s Graded, Sabah’s Nurul Atikak Junaidi emerged champion with her total of 1561, while Sarawak’s Dayang Aida Natasha, the younger sister of national bowler, Dayang Khairuniza, finished second with her total of 1533. Selangor’s Noor Syazwani finished third with her total of 1529.

Sarawak continued to stamp their presence when they swept both the Graded Men’s and Ladies Masters title Daniel Tan and Caroline Chien topped field after 10 games.

Daniel had a total of 2171 for an average of 217.1 to win the title, while Julian Yan from Smack Pin/Kuala Lumpur finished second with his total of 2119. KL’s Omar Al-Hakeem finished third with his total of 2087.

In the Ladies category, Caroline amassed a total of 1927 for an average of 192.7 to win the title. Selangor’s Dina Nurnadia finished second with her total of 1927, while Penang’s Fatin Hazwani took third spot with her total of 1880.

SARAWAK DENIES SELANGOR THE OVERALL TITLE

FINAL DAY 18th March 2011

Women's Team Champioin - Sarawak - From Left - Nurafisza Bt Mohd Amran, Dayang Khairuniza, Jacqueiline Sijori & Caroline Chien

It was a night of celebrations for Sarawak as they finally stepped out of their shadows as a rising force to win the overall title from perennial force Selangor, in the Astro 24th Interstate championship which ended tonight at the Sunway Mega Lanes.

Men's Team Champioin from Selangor - From Left Zulmazran Zulkifli, Daniel Lim, Alex Liew & Zaid Izran

Sarawak would have had another reason to celebrate, if only their starlet Jacqueline Jenellee Sijore, had completed a grand slam to win all four gold medals at stake.

But Jacqueline who won gold medals in singles, doubles and team event, had to settle for the silver in the Women’s All Events, when her national and State teammate Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana pipped her to the gold medal by 51 pins with her grand total of 3844.

Perak’s Sin Li Jane won the bronze with her total 3667.

However, Sarawak winning both the Women’s team (Dayang, Nurafidza Mohd Amran, Caroline Chien Chin Yii and Jacqueline) event and All-Events gold medal, it meant they were in line to upstage Selangor for the overall title.

The Sarawak women’s team had a total of 4859 to win the gold, while the team from Kuala Lumpur won the silver (4699) and Selangor won the bronze (4660).

But Sarawak’s celebrations were put on hold with the Men’s Team event still not completed, where Selangor were in the driver’s seat to win their fourth gold, while Alex Liew was battling for their fifth gold from the All-events.

While Selangor confirmed the team gold, Penang’s Adrian Ang did Sarawak a favour when he went to win his second gold in the All-events to keep Alex in second place with his total score of 3902 – 31 pins ahead of the latter.

Selangor’s national bowlers team of Alex, Daniel Lim, Zulmazran Zulkifli and former national back-up elite member Zaid Izlan Ibrahim Hakimi, won their gold medal with a grand total of 5018, while Kuala Lumpur settled for the silver with their total of 4769. Penang won the bronze with their total of 4709.

With Selangor and Sarawak both tied on four gold medals, it was the silver medals which was the decider for the overall title and with the latter had two silver medals as compared to the former’s one, Sarawak were declared the overall champion.

Sarawak also won the Women’s overall title with their four gold and one silver haul.Selangor’s only consolation was that they bagged the Men’s overall title with two gold, one silver and one bronze haul.Sarawak coach Jackson Ting was modest in victory.

“It is great to have become the overall champion dislodging Selangor, but it was our women bowlers who pulled us through,” said the former national bowler.

“It is a great morale booster to have won the title and for our future, but we still have a lot of work to do, especially with our youth bowlers who have been our forte to have come this far.

“While some of the youth bowlers have graduated to become senior members, some have left. We have come here with a very young youth team and we have to work hard to get them to a higher level.

"I also have thank the national coaches headed by Holloway Cheah and MTBC for having picked several of the Sarawak bowlers to become national youth and national bowlers. Their training with the national squad and the exposure they gained, has certainly played a vital part in our success here."

Jacqueline on the other hand was on Cloud Nine despite having missed the Grand Slam to win all four gold medals.

“It is still a great outing to have won three gold, one silver and emerge as the overall champion,” said Jacqueline.

“In any case, the All-events gold was still own by Sarawak (Dayang) and that earned us the overall title.”

Dayang said that it was a close battle between herself and Jacqueline and it was all in the game.

“It did not matter whether I won or Jacqueline, as long it was won by Sarawak,” said Dayang.

“I have been bowling well all three days and did not have an individual gold medal to show and am glad that I finally won. Infact, it was two gold medals today (team event) and I cannot ask for a better ending,” said Dayang.

“Besides, I also qualify for the Masters automatically as the All-events champion and that is added bonus.”

Ten out of 14 States competing returned home with medals and the spread of the medals among the State augurs well for the sport as it only meant that many States have taken the sports seriously and a lot of development work has been put in.

The 35th Malaysian National championship for the Masters titles will be held tomorrow.

The top 14 men from the Master Open qualifiers, the defending champion (Aaron Kong) and All-events champion (Adrian) to make up the 16 qualifiers for the Masters Open.

In the Women’s Open category, the top ten qualifiers, the defending champion (Sin Li Jane) and the All-events champion (Dayang) will be the 12 to compete in the Masters.

The other Masters categories are Men and Ladies Graded and Boys and Girls Open.

The qualifiers were ongoing to late this morning (Saturday).


FINAL MEDAL TALLY

                                 G         S          B

Sarawak                   4          2          1

Selangor                   4          1          5

Penang                     2          1          2

Sabah                       2          1          1

Kuala Lumpur          1          4          1

Malacca                   1          1          1

Negri Sembilan        1          0          1

Perak                       0          4          2

Johor                       0          2          1

Pahang                     0          0          2
 

Malacca and Sabah rule youth categories

BOYS AND GIRLS TEAM & ALL EVENTS - FINAL DAY 18th March 2011

Malacca emerged overall boys category champion but were left ruing of having missed another gold medal in the All-events when Mohd Shafiq Hashim had to settle for the silver medal by a mere one pin.Shafiq, who had earlier won a bronze in the singles, was pipped by Kuala Lumpur’s national youth bowler Syimir Abdul Razak who had a total of 3538 after three events and 18 games.

Team Melaka won the Boys Team Gold. From left Dinie Faliq, Pu Yong Jin, Mohd Shafiqq & Jason Syow

However, Shafiq’s consolation was that together with his teammates Jason Syow Huay Tik, Pu Yong Jin and Dinie Faliq Mokhtar they bagged the gold in the boys team event with their total of 4516, where the Johor team won the silver with their total of 4426 and Pahang won the bronze (4416).

There were further cheers for the Malacca boys when they were declared the Boys category overall champion with their one gold, one silver and one bronze effort.But for the 21-year Shafiq who featured in all three medal winning effort of Malacca (singles, team and All-Events), he was still disappointed that he missed a second gold medal in the All-Events.“I am happy for Malacca and team, but personally, I am sad to have missed the All-Events gold by the narrowed margin,” said the first year student of the Multi Media University where he is pursuing a degree in finance.“If only I had strike in my final frame, the title would have been mine,” said Shafiq who hails from Gombak and was a student of SM Bukit Indah.“I just have to console myself that Malacca still emerged overall champions in the Boy’s category and I picked up a medal in all three events Malacca won medals.”Symir on the other hand was delighted that he won the gold medal to give Kuala Lumpur their first gold medal.“It was the narrowest of win, but it is still a win and KL earned their first gold medal,” said Symir.“Besides, having picked up silver in the singles, it is great to complete the championship with a gold medal,” said Symir who also picked up a Canon digital camera for his hi-series of the day on Sunday with his 909 (four games) in the Masters qualifying.

The bronze medal in the All-events saw Sabah’s Mohd Ozzer Othaman and Selangor’s Muhammad Aizudeen Mustaq declared joint winners with their identical totals of 3510. Sabah, on the other hand emerged the overall champions for the Girls category with their two gold and one silver medal haul.Sabah had gone into the team event with one gold and one silver from the singles - Siti Aishatun Hussin) and Steffira Zaeander Greater respectively) while Selangor had one gold only.But while Selangor faltered in the team event to finish fourth, while Sabah finished seventh, Steffira ensure the overall title belongs to Sabah beyond doubt, when she bagged the All-Events title with her grand total of 3568.Perak’s Nursyamimi Supardi won the silver medal with her total of 3473 – 95 pins behind Steffira – while Selangor’s Dina Nur Nadia picked up the bronze with her total of 3470.In the team event, it was Negri Sembilan’s team comprising Lim Hsu Zen, Hurul Ainol Abdul Razak and Farah Ain Diyana won the gold with their total of 4458.Johor finished second with their total of 4426 and Pahang won the bronze with their total of 4416.

MEDAL TALLY (current medal standing without the Men & Women results) 
                                 G         S          B
Selangor                     3          0          4
Sarawak                      2          1          1
Penang                        2          1          1
Sabah                          2          1          1
Kuala Lumpur             1          2          1
Malacca                      1          1          1
Negri Sembilan           1          0          1
Perak                          0          4          1
Johor                           0          2          0
Pahang                        0          0          2
Release by MTBC

CHRISTOPHER IS SARAWAK'S LATEST TALENT

SARAWAK the rising force in bowling sounded an early warning for the Astro 24th Interstate Bowling Championship which began today (Wednesday) at the Sunway Mega Lanes, when Christopher Tiong won the Peter Yap’s Memorial Cup after winning the boys division and overall division on Tuesday night.

 

 

All girls Finalists in Peter Yap's Memorial Cup Finals

 

The 14th edition of the Peter Memorial Cup for Under-14 bowlers was held as the curtain raiser for the Interstate championship after the opening ceremony on Tuesday night.

 

All boys Finalists in Peter Yap's Memorial Cup Finals

 

The 13 year-old Christopher who hails from Sibu had a total of 845 from four games with lines of 238, 181, 224 and 202 for high 211 average.

Overall Champioin Christopher Tiong of Sarawak

Selangor's Muhammad Nur Hazarizq and Ahmad Nabil took second and third spots with their totals of 815 and 813 respectively.

Christopher, a Form 2 student of SMK Sacred Heart, who is also competing in the Interstate championship in the Youth boys category, has been bowling
for four years.

Top 3 Girls winners Siti Nurzulaika, Nurain Izzati and Ayra Nur Jehan posted with their trophies

He was the Under-12 champion in the Sabah Leg of SportExcel -NSC-Milo National Junior Circuit in 2009 and 2010, and also champion in Sarawak Leg in 2009.

"I hope to get into the National Pelapis program in the near future and represent Malaysia in junior event" said Christopher after winning effort.

Tan Sri Mohd Noor and Girls Champion Nurain Izzati

The Peter Memorial Cup has seen many winners go on to become national players which includes Zulmazran Zulkifli was the inaugural winner in 1997, Adrian Ang who won the title twice – 1998 and 2001 – and other national youth bowlers like Rodson Tong (2003).

Tan Sri and Boys Over Champion Christopher Tiong

The late Peter Yap who passed away in 1997 was a respected figure in the bowling fraternity who was known for his passion for development programmes and a no nonsense person when it came to discipline and dedication of young bowlers.


Selangor's Nurain Izzati won the Girls division with a total of 783 averaging 195. She posted lines of 204, 259, 153 & 167.

Peter Yap's Memorial Cup winners - Nurain Izzati and Christopher Tiong

The Form 2 student of SMK Alam Megah 3, started bowling when she was 9 years old.


She is hoping to become another Shalin Zulkifli.

Siti Nurzulaika of Kuala Lumpur finished second with 727 while her team-mate Ayra Nur Jehan finished third with 698.

JACQUELINE EXCELS DESPITE JETLAG

16TH  March 2011
MEDIA RELEASE (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
Astro 24th Interstate Bowling Championship 2011

SARAWAK’S Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore fresh from the Brunswick Euro Challenge 2011 in St Maximin, France, gave her home state their first gold medal in the Astro 24th Interstate Bowling Championship today at the Sunway Mega Lanes when she won the women’s single event.


Jacqueline only arrived from France with the rest of her national teammates on Tuesday night and took to the lanes today without showing any signs of fatigue.


In fact, the 20 year-old lass from Kuching was suspected to have chicken pox as she had rashes on her, but that too did not stop her from rising to the occasion.


Jacqueline had a total score of 1249 from six games with lines of 222, 192, 276, 220, 170 and 169 for a 208.2 average to pip national bowler and defending National champion from Perak, Sin Li Jane by 16 pins for the gold medal.


Jacqueline at the Euro Brunswick Challenge, which is one of the World Bowling Tour leg, had missed the top eight cut when she finished ninth.


“It is great to have won the singles gold after having settled for the bronze medal last year when I tied with KL’s Hee Kar Yen,” said Jacqueline who won the Girl’s singles gold in 2009.


“I am actually surprised to have done well after having just returned from France last night. I just had three hours sleep because of the jet lag. I am just glad that all went well for me and am looking forward to doing well in the doubles and team event too.”


Pahang’s Jerusha Chan, a member of the national youth squad last year, finished third to bag the bronze medal with her total of 1231 – two pins behind Li Jane.


In the Men’s singles, Selangor’s Alex Liew, the Asian Games double gold medallist, gave the state their first gold medal when he emerged tops with his overall score of 1315 with an average of 219.2.


He had lines of 212, 226, 263, 202, 206 and 206.


Kuala Lumpur’s Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan, who like Jacqueline had competed in the Brunswick Euro Challenge where he was the best Malaysian finisher, when he finished third, picked up the silver medal with his score of 1266 – 49 pins behind Alex.


Sarawak’s Aris Ardila Santosoh, another national bowler, won the bronze medal with his score of 1263 – just three pins behind Syafiq.


“It is a great way to start the year after having gone slow after the Asian Games feat,” said Alex whose only international outing after the Asian Games was the Euro-Med Storm International Masters challenge in Philippines last month where he finished eight.


“I hope this win will be the start of another good year for me,” said the 35-year old southpaw.


Earlier in the Boys singles event, Penang’s Mohd Nazmi Mohd Mazli, gave the island their first gold medal when he pipped Kuala Lumpur’s Syimir Abdul Razak, national youth squad member, by 21 pins with his total of 1234.


Malacca’s Mohd Shafiq Hashim won the bronze medal with his total of 1187.


In the girl’s singles, Sabah made it 1-2 when former national youth bowler Siti Aishatun Hussin and Steffira Zeander Greater finished with totals of 1261 and 1221 respectively.
Negri Sembilan’s Hurul Ainol Abu Razak won the bronze medal with her total of 1185.


Tomorrow will see the doubles event competed, while Masters qualifying for the National Championship is ongoing. The final day of the Interstate is on Friday when the team event will be held.


In Master’s Open qualifying, Selangor’s national bolwler Alex Liew is leading in the Men’s category with his score of  932 over four games, while is leading in the Women’s category Sarawak’s Dayang Khairuniza a member of the Elite squad leads with her total of 854.



The top 14 from the Master qualifiers, the defending champion (Aaron Kong) and All-events leader in the Interstate championship make up the 16 qualifiers for the Masters on Saturday.


In the Women’s Open category, the top ten qualifiers, the defending champion (Sin Li Jane) and the All-events leader in the Interstate championship will be the 12 to compete in the Masters.


The other Masters categories are Men and Ladies Graded and Boys and Girls Open.

Ends.