KUALA LUMPUR – The exclusion of lawn bowls from the upcoming Bangkok SEA Games is a significant setback for athletes of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF), potentially jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the Podium Programme, says national lawn bowls head coach Zuraidi Puteh.
Lawn bowls, a sport long dominated by Malaysia at the SEA Games, has been omitted from next year’s edition in Thailand.
This decision comes despite the country having excellent facilities and successfully hosting the Asian Lawn Bowls Championship in Pattaya in March.
Speaking to Scoop, Zuraidi, regarded as one of the best coaches in the game, explained that success at the SEA Games is critical for athletes aiming to transition from the current phase Podium Programme to the full-time Podium Programme established by the National Sports Council (NSC).
Under the current phase, the NSC determines which tournaments athletes may enter, with each event requiring council approval or recognition.
For the record, lawn bowls was last featured in the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, where Malaysia secured four gold and two bronze medals out of the six events contested.
“Lawn bowls has always been a major contributor to our medal tally at the SEA Games. Our president, Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz, who also serves as president of the Asia Lawn Bowls Federation, has done his utmost to advocate for the sport’s inclusion in the Games.
“However, in the end, the hosts remained firm in their decision, and we have no choice but to respect it.
“What troubles us most is how this affects our athletes’ chances of meeting the criteria to qualify for the Podium Programme. Competing in tournaments like the SEA Games is crucial for our athletes to be considered. We could’ve won as many as eight gold medals if lawn bowls had been included.
“Our athletes are disappointed that they won’t have the chance to compete. It would’ve been an excellent platform for young athletes to showcase their potential. However, life is about moving forward, and we’ve decided to continue training and focus on other tournaments,” said Zuraidi when contacted.
Notable successes under Zuraidi’s coaching include Nur Ain Nabilah Tarmizi and Aleena Ahmad Nawawi, who won Malaysia’s first women’s pairs gold at the World Bowls Championships in Australia last year’s September.
The NSC’s exclusion of lawn bowlers from the Podium Programme was previously linked to their performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. — November 4, 2024