Friday January 4, 2013
Tourney in Nagoya just part of Holloway’s bigger plan
By SHAMSHUL FITRI
PETALING JAYA: The season starts early for the national bowlers as they will compete in the International Bowling Championships in Nagoya, Japan, from Jan 15-19.
The tournament, which is usually held in February, is a part of the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) World Tour event and offers US$75,000 to the winners of the men’s and women’s categories.
Last year, Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana Abang Jamalidon lost to Cherie Tan of Singapore 179-218 in the women’s final while Zulmazran Zulkifli finished fourth in the men’s event.
However, national coach Holloway Cheah is not too concerned about winning this year “because the tournament is just part of a bigger plan I have in store”.
“The major event this year will be the World Championships in Nevada (August). But we want to use the World Championships more as a stepping stone for a bigger event next year – the Asian Games in Incheon,” said Holloway.
He said the main objective was to avoid risking the bowlers from burning out way before the Asiad in September next year.
“We always start a year early in our preparation for the Asian Games. We’ve never changed that. But, in the past, we wanted them to show their preparedness by winning the tournaments before the Asiad,” he said.
“Since the objective (Incheon Asian Games) is still way off, we don’t want them to burn out before reaching the goal.”
However, Holloway noted that the new approach does not mean bowlers can take it easy in tournaments and get away scott-free if they fail to hit the marks.
“They must do their best always. If they have a good game, reach or break their average pinfalls or make it into the top-10, that would be good enough. Of course, winning is the ultimate but, as I said before, there will be no pressure on them,” he said.
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