Can the Sarawak repeat it again?

Jacqueline aware it will not be easy for Sarawak to defend their crown

PETALING JAYA: Winning a title is easier than defending it and Sarawak know it all too well.

They are aware of the tough task facing them in the 25th Inter-State Bowling Championships starting at the Sunway Megalanes in Sunway Pyramid today.

Sarawak were crowned overall champions last year with a medal haul of 4-2-1, edging out powerhouse Selangor (4-1-5).

But Sarawak ace Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore is confident she can repeat her three-gold medal (singles, doubles and team) performance from last year.

Standing together: Dayang Khairuniza will be Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore’s (below) team-mate in the Inter-State Bowling Championships which start today at the Sunway Megalanes at Sunway Pyramid.

“Of course expectations will be high on us to retain the overall title. But I think a little bit of pressure will do us good,” said Jacqueline, who enjoyed a fruitful year by also winning the singles gold at the Women’s World Championships.

Jacqueline will have national team-mate Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana Abang Jamalidon and newly-promoted juniors Nurafidza Amran and Nadine Kong for company in the women’s team.

“But don’t write off Selangor yet. They always boast a strong team,” said Jacqueline.

Selangor will be boosted by the return of Shalin Zulkifli, who skipped the meet last year as she was pregnant. The others in the Selangor team are natinoal bowlers Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani, Siti Safiyah AmirahAbdul Rahman and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi.

Selangor’s men’s team will also be a force to be reckoned with, boasting the likes of Zulmazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew, Mohd Amirul Afif Mohd Nasir and former national bowler Azidi Ameran.

Sarawak team manager Robert Lu said they are aware of the threat posed by Selangor.

“Last year, we didn’t expect to win four gold medals, let alone win the overall title by a single silver medal,” he said.

“Although our women contributed a lot to the victory, I believe we can put up a good fight across the board this year as we have a competitive team in the boys’ department as well.”

Bong Kihow, Daniel Tan, Christopher Tiong and Muhd Syafiq Sajeli make up Sarawak’s boys’ team.

Christopher and Syafiq combined to bag the doubles silver medal behind Selangor last year.

The two teams had better not discount the challenge posed by darkhorses Penang, who finished third last year.

Penang will have national bowlers Adrian Ang and Aaron Kong leading their men’s team. Adrian, who won four gold medals in the Indonesia SEA Games last year, could spring some surprises in the competition, which starts with the singles event for all categories today. - By Shamshul Fitri of The Star