We will rock St. Maximin again!

Adrian Ang was 2nd in 2010, Syafiq Ridhwan finished 3rd last year, perhaps champion this year?

BOWLING: Keglers to use national meet as warm-up

THE national elite bowlers will use the National Inter-State Championships, which begins today, as a warm-up for next week's Brunswick Euro Challenge in Saint Maximin, France.

National coach Holloway Cheah wants those picked for the Euro Challenge, the seventh stop of the World Tour, to at least win individual titles at the national event.

Asian Games champion Alex Liew leads the six-man squad comprising Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Muhd Nur Aiman and last year's third best finisher Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek.

Esther Cheah will officially return to competition from a four-month injury absence at the Euro Challenge and making up the women's squad are Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Shalin Zulkifli, Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore, Dayang Khairuniza, Sharon Koh, Sin Li Jane and Siti Safiyah Abdul Rahman.

"I expect them to win the singles and Masters competitions at the National Championships as they are familiar with lane conditions," said Holloway yesterday.

"It will put them in a good stead for the Euro Challenge, where the world's best will be aiming for honours."

The Inter-State event was officially opened by Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek at the Pyramid Megalanes in Bandar Sunway yesterday.

The event will also give Holloway an opportunity to gauge the form of the remaining members of the elite squad who were not picked for the Euro Challenge.

Those excluded are Isaac Russel Paul, Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani, Syaidatul Afifah, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi while Hee Kar Yen and Wendy Chai are both competing in the ABF Tour Tournament b Championships which starts today in Kuwait.

"Only the best will be selected for priority competitions. Those excluded must impress me in the national event or they will not compete overseas," Holloway added.

The national event gets underway with the men's and women's singles competitions today. By Ajitpal Singh of NST