MTBC decide to bar tested senior international players from Sukma
BY RAJES PAULTHE Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have taken a bold move to go on the right lane to ensure that Sukma (Malaysia Games) remains true to its objective to unearth new talent.
They have decided that bowlers who have represented Malaysia in official senior tournaments on the World Tenpin Bowling Association's (WTBA) calendar at the world and Asian level will no longer be eligible to compete in the biennial Games.
The MTBC secretary Sidney Tung said yesterday that Sukma was meant for the development of sports in the country.
“We want to make a stand after the confusion and disputes over the eligibility of athletes at the last Games in Sabah two years ago,” he said.
“Our council (who have representative from all MTBC affiliates) have decided that national bowlers who have competed in official senior international tournaments should be barred from Sukma competitions, beginning with the Games in Negri Sembilan.
“Why do they want to play in the Sukma after having reached the level of representing the country in senior world tournaments? They should not be in Sukma, which is to provide opportunities for newcomers to show their potential to make the mark.”
Sukma bowling is an Under-21 tournament and the MTBC decision means that two national bowlers, Zulmazran Zulkilfi of Selangor and Jonathan Lim of Sarawak, and former international Sharon Chai of Johor, will not see action.
However, several juniors, who were promoted to the national team three months ago and have yet to make their mark in senior international tournaments, will be in the fray.
In the boys' competitions are Masters defending champion Aaron Kong (Pen), Adrian Ang (Pen), Mohd Nadri Mohd Noor (Sel), Mohd Noer (Sab). In action in the girls' events are Masters defending champion Zandra Aziela (Sel), Elaine Lam (Prk) and Voon Kim Ling (Pen).
“This MTBC rule also applies to those who are no longer in the national team. Johor wanted to field Sharon (a member of the gold-medal winning team in the World Championships last year) but they have to abide by our rule,” said Sidney.
“Zandra, Adrian and Mohd Nadri have done well in junior tournaments but they have not represented Malaysia in major senior tournaments. We will allow them to compete in Sukma.”
Jonathan, a member of the team for the World Championships last year, has been registered by Sarawak for Sukma. But as far as the MTBC are concerned, Sarawak will have to withdraw the reigning national champion.
“The states should be giving other youngsters the opportunity to show their talents. We have junior tournaments at the state level and they should groom these youngsters for Sukma,” said Sidney.
With some of the top national bowlers barred from the Negri Sukma, Sidney hopes that some new faces would shine in the Games.
“Some juniors have done well in the SportExcel-NSC-Milo national junior circuit this year and they will be strongly challenging some of our newly-recruited national bowlers,” he said.
“Johor will be banking on Mohd Nur Aiman, Kedah have Tengku Afnan (Tengku Zahari) and Perak will be counting on Nor Atteya (Zainal Abidin).”
Except for squash and gymnastics, all the other sports in Sukma will be Under-21 competitions. The squash tournament is an Under-18 event while it will be Under-16 for artistic gymnastics and Under-15 for rhythmic gymnastics.
Under Sukma rules, there is a restriction on the number of events for a national athlete.
In the multi-events sports of bowling, badminton, table tennis and tennis, a national athlete can only compete in two events.
In athletics and swimming, a national athlete can feature in only one individual and two relay events.
For team sports, a state can only have three national players in their side.
The Sukma definition of a national athlete is one who has competed in the Olympics, Asiad, Commonwealth Games or has won an individual gold medal in the SEA Games.
The Sukma Supreme Council also accept and endorse the rules on eligibility set by the respective national sports associations.
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