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Monday September 7, 2009

No replacement bowler for Zulmazran at Ankara Open

By SHAMSHUL FITRI

PETALING JAYA: No Malaysian bowler will replace Zulmazran Zulkifli in the Ankara Open in Turkey beginning today.

Zulmazran has been chosen by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) to compete instead in a more prestigious professional tournament in Incheon from Sept 12-17.

National coach Holloway Cheah said that the tournament in Turkey was meant for the bowlers in the elite team.

“We have seven elite bowlers in the squad and we named them all for the Ankara Open. But with Zulmazran going to Incheon, his spot will be left vacant,” he said.

The others in the elite squad are Adrian Ang (pic), Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek, Alex Liew, Daniel Lim, Aaron Kong and Muhd Nur Aiman Khairuddin.

Hopes are high on the keglers to deliver in Ankara as all of them have competed in world-class tournaments, among them the world championships, World Cup and the World Ranking Masters.

The closest Malaysia came to winning an Open title in Europe was a runner-up finish by Aaron to Ghislaine Van Der Tol of Holland in the 2007 San Marino Open.

In Ankara, the Malaysians will be up against a field of 169 bowlers, including two-time European champion Osku Palermaa of Finland, Britt Brondsted of Denmark and defending champion Dominic Barrett of England.

With Zulmazran out, Adrian appears to be Malaysia’s best bet for an European title after having outshone American professional Chris Barnes en route to bagging two bronze medals in the World Games in Taiwan in July.

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