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