Sarawak Closed 2011 hosting proposal

Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) would like to call for participations from all bowling centres in Sarawak to submit their proposals for game fee rates and tournament format should the centre were to host the upcoming Sarawak Closed Championship for year 2011 which will be held in May or June 2011.

In order for to help ABAS to minimize the expenditure incurred to the championship, the proposal must include:
1. Proposed date(s)
2. Tournament Format
3. Game rates
4. Other information/opinion/ suggestions/feedback pertaining the proposal.
The final date for the submission is 03 April 2011 (Sunday) 7pm via email.

The Organizing Chairman will consider, and with the blessings from ABAS Committee, reserves the right to appoint the Centre with the best proposal that meets the requirements from the Association.

Thank you.


Alhadi Bujang
Organizing Chairman
Sarawak Closed 2011
Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS)
Date: 27 March 2011

The Borneo Post Online (20.03.2011)

Sarawak keglers unexpected champions

by Ting Tieng Hee. Posted on March 21, 2011, Monday

KUCHING: Sarawak keglers performed beyond expectations to emerge as the overall champions of the Astro 24th Inter – State Bowling Championship that ended at Sunway Megalanes, Sunway Pyramid in Selangor last Saturday.

FRUITFUL OUTING: The Sarawak bowling team celebrate their victory after emerging overall team champions at the Astro 24th InterState Bowling Championship that ended at Sunway Megalanes, Sunway Pyramid in Selangor last Saturday. — Photo courtesy of Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak

They captured four gold, two silver and one bronze medals to pip bowling giant Selangor by a silver medal for the top honour. This was a good improvement when compared to second overall finish last year with six silvers and one bronzes.

Selangor won four golds, one silver and five bronzes while third-placed Pulau Pinang had three golds, one silver and two bronzes and Sabah came in fourth with two golds, one silver and one bronze.

Another bowling powerhouse Kuala Lumpur could only manage one gold, four silvers and one bronze to settle for fifth.

Sarawak’s gold medals came from newly promoted national bowler Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore who won the Women’s Singles gold, Women’s Doubles gold with another national bowler Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana Abg Jamalidon and the Women’s Team gold together with Dayang Khairuniza, Caroline Chien and Nurafidza Mohd Amran Nur.

The other gold was delivered by Dayang Khairuniza in the Women’s All-Events.

Jacqueline added a silver to her collection by finishing second in the Women’s All-Events while Christopher Tiong and Muhd Syafiq Sajeli contributed a silver from the Boys Doubles event.

The solitary bronze came from dropped national back-up bowler Aris Ardilla Santosoh who finished third in the Men’s Singles.

“This is a fantastic result for us because we brought along our second stringers for exposure and we beat Selangor by one silver,” said team manager Robert Lu in a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur.

“I am very satisfied with the results and at the same time we gave our Sukma backup squad members the exposure trip and yet we won the overall championship. What more can we ask for,” he added.

Lu, who is also Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) deputy president, said the state team’s victory at the interstate championship was based on the strength of the women’s team.

Meanwhile, Sarawak also did well in the Astro 35th National Closed Championship where they won three golds, two silvers and one bronze.

Sukma XIII gold medallist Chong Jun Foo won the gold in the Boys Open, Daniel Tan captured the Men’s Graded gold while Caroline Chien took the Women’s Graded gold.

The silvers were delivered by Dayang Khairuniza in the Women’s Masters and Dayang Aida Natasha in the Girls Graded while Aris Ardilla bagged the Boys Open bronze.

The state team is trained by head coach Jackson Ting and his assistants Reginald Walter Anggas, Angelo Koay and Jeff Chin.

Abas deputy president Shaifulbahri Shukri was the assistant team manager.

The Borneo Post Online (20.03.2011)

S’wak emerge inter-state bowling champs

Posted on March 20, 2011, Sunday

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak won four gold, two silver  and a bronze medal to emerge overall Inter-State Bowling champions at Sunway Megalanes, Bandar Sunway on Friday.

Selangor came in second (four gold, one silver and five bronze) while Penang came in third (three gold, one silver and two bronze).

Sarawak also emerged overall champions in the women’s division (four gold and one silver) followed by Perak (two silver, one bronze) and Kuala Lumpur (one silver).

The men’s overall champions went to Selangor (two gold, one silver and one bronze), second Penang (two gold, one bronze) and third Kuala Lumpur (two silver).

The overall winner in the boys division went to Melaka (one gold, one silver and one bronze), followed by Kuala Lumpur (one gold, one silver) and Selangor (one gold, one bronze).

The girl’s division was won by Sabah (two gold, one silver), followed by Negeri Sembilan and Selangor (one gold and one bronze each).

Adrian Ang of Penang was best bowler with 3,902 pinfalls beating Alex Liew of Selangor with 3,871 pinfalls while Kang Bo Long of Johor third with 3,803 pinfalls.

Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana of Sarawak was top in the women’s division with 3,844 pinfalls.
Second was Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore also of Sarawak with 3,793 pinfalls while Sin Li Jane of Perak third with 3,667 pinfalls. — Bernama

The New Sarawak Tribune (20.03.2011)

‘Amazing Sarawak’

Sunday, 20 March 2011 14:48 | Written by Hussin Abdul Rahman

KUCHING: Sarawak’s bowling chief coach Jackson Ting summed it right when asked to comment on his team’s super achievements in the Astro 35th National Championships and 24th Inter-State Championships which ended at Sunway Mega Lanes, here, yesterday.

“Amazing,” said Jackson.

The coach, who was national champion in 2000, saw Dayang Khairuniza Dhi ana Abang Jamallidon nearly emulate his feat when she came in second to national elite bowler Zandra Aziela of Selangor in the Women’s Open.

Dayang Khairuniza made the step-ladder final by beating another national elite team-mate, Zatil Iman of Selangor.Dayang Khairuniza’s team-mate Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore, returned 1928 pinfalls, to finish 8th in the first round.

If Sarawak lost out in the Women’s Open, the team tasted sweet victory in the Youth Boys’ Open Finals when Chong Jun Foo won the gold medal despite not bowling at his best.To make it sweeter, Aris Fadila Santosoh, with 1,579 pinfalls, finished third in the event.Second was Khoo Beng Khai of Penang, who scored 1,626 pinfalls.

The girls version was won by Faten Najihah of Pahang while rising star Steffira Zeander Greater of Sabah finished second.Third was Fatin Azmira of Perak.

Jun Foo, who had a total of 1,662 pinfalls over eight games, was not happy with his 207.8 average.

“I was aiming for 220 average.

Still I am happy and it’s great that Sarawak are overall champions,” said Jun Foo in the presence of his father, Chong Siew Cheng and mother Lai Sam Moi.Jun Foo won RM2,000 cash for his victory.

Sarawak’s amazing outing continued on Thursday night when their bowlers scored a double in the Men’s Graded Masters and Women’s Graded Finals, thanks to feats of Daniel Tan and Caroline Chien.

Kuching lass Caroline, who totalled 1,927 pinfalls over 10 games, beat Dina Nurnadia of Selangor (1,913 pins) and Fatin Hazwani of Penang, who returned a score of 1,880 to win the first prize of RM5,000 cash.

Daniel, who is eagerly waiting for his SPM results on Wednesday, scored 2,171 pinfalls to win his event.Julian Yan of Smack Pinz, Kuala Lumpur finished second on 2119 pins while Omar Al-Hakeem of Kuala Lumpur (2087 pins), was third.

Christopher Tiong, who won the Peter Yap Memorial Cup on Tuesday, finished fifth in the Milo Youth Boys’ Graded Finals on Thursday night.The event was won by Amirul Hafiz Noor Aizat of Johor while Mohd Syazwan of Kuala Lumpur was third.

Meanwhile, Johor’s Kang Bo Long, who finished third in the first round, won the Men’s Open Masters title when he beat Yusuf Abdul Raof, who was in the disbanded national backup squad, in the step-ladder final.Adrian Ang of Penang finished third in the event.

The New Sarawak Tribune (18.03.2011)

Jacqueline, Dayang can go far: Holloway

Friday, 18 March 2011 11:16 | Written by Hussin Abdul Rahman

KUCHING: Sarawak bowlers Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore and Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana can go far on the international bowling scene if they are willing to work harder at improving their game.

Already , said national chief coach Holloway Cheah yesterday, the two Sarawak girls who have been promoted to the national elite squad have two good factors in their favour.

“Jacqueline and Dayang are quite talented and have very good attitude.They can go far at international level if they put more efforts into their game.

“I have already started with them since they joined my squad and they have good attitude towards training,” said Holloway, when interviewed at Sunway Mega Lanes where Sarawak are compet ing in the 24th inter-state bowling championships.

Jacqueline quickly justified the faith of the national selectors by winning the women’s singles gold medal on Wednesday, despite suffering from jet-lag after coming back from Paris where she represented Malaysia in a Euro Challenge event.

Perhaps Holloway’s personal touch had had a part in polishing up Jacqueline’s game as all the national elite bowlers have to train under him for two hours, five times a week at the Mega Lanes bowling alley.

So Holloway was not really surprised when Jacqueline beat several more experienced national team mates, on the way to the singles gold medal.

“I had started working with them on the technical aspects of their game and Jacqueline has done well in winning the singles event.

“I am not surprised that she won because it was an open field. Anyone of them could have won it but I am happy for Jacqueline,” said Holloway.

Holloway also praised the Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) for having good development programmes which have seen the state produced so many good bowlers.

“People like Jacqueline and Dayang are in good hands.

Sarawak also have good men’s and boy’s bowlers and I know of the ability of people like Chong Jun Foo and Aris Ardila,” said Holloway.

Aris Ardila, who had to go back to the national youth squad after the national backup squad were disbanded due to a cut in funding by the National Sports Council (NSC).

The New Sarawak Tribune (18.03.2011)

Syafiq and Christopher get silver for Sarawak

Friday, 18 March 2011 11:16

KUCHING: Sarawak, who started brilliantly when Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore won the women’s singles on Wednesday, had to wait until the boys’ doubles yesterday to win their second medal.

The pair of Sibu’s Christopher Tiong Lee Siong and Kuching’s Muhd Syafiq Sajeli won the silver medal when they came in second best to Selangor’s Muhammad Hafiz Fikri and Muhammad Aizudeen Mustaqim.

Christopher and Syafiq returned a total of 2,382 pinfalls over six games, losing by 48 pins to the Selangor pair who registered 2,430 pinfalls.

Third were Perak’s Muhammad Fazrin Khairul Faiz and Muhd Izzul Fahmi Ibrahim, who had a total of 2,345 pinfalls.

Earlier, Sarawak’s Kelvin Eng Mee Hee and Peter Pu Tze Liang could only finish seventh, with a total of 2,368 pinfalls, in the men’s doubles event won by national bowlers Aaron Kong and Adrian Ang of Selangor.

Aaron and Adrian totalled 2,587 pinfalls to beat Kang Bo Long and Muhd Nur Aiman of Johor, who returned 2,565.Third were the pair of national bowlers Alex Liew and Daniel Lim (Selangor), who had 2,543 pinfalls.

Sarawak also finished out of frame in the girls’ doubles when their best pair of Nerosha Keligit and Jocelyna Judith Jonathan, with a total of 2,090 pinfalls, finished 17th among 25 pairs.Sarawak’s other pair of Nadine Kong and Jackelyn Ng Shuk Chuen ended up in 20th place, with 2,056 pins.

The event was won by Natasya Roslan and Dina Nur Nadia of Selangor, with a total of 2,462 pinfalls.

Nursyamimi Supardi and Syaidatul Afyna of Perak came in second with 2,348 pinfalls while Nur Amirah Auni and Fatin Hazwani of Penang got third place on 2,300 pins.

The New Sarawak Tribune (17.03.2011)

From Paris with love 

Thursday, 17 March 2011 12:35 | Written by Hussin Abdul Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR: Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore had only three hours sleep after she returned from Paris on Tuesday but had enough energy and focus to win the gold medal in the women’s singles in the Astro 24th inter-state bowling tournament at Sunway Mega Lanes in Bandar Sunway yesterday.

Despite suffering jet-lag from her 12-hour flight, the Sarawakian posted scores of 122, 192, 276, 220, 170 and 169 for a total of 1,249 pinfalls over 6 games, giving her an average of 208.2, to hand Sarawak their first gold medal in the championships.

Asked how she felt about her win, Jacqueline, who also had mild chicken pox, was quick with her reply.

“Great.I had hoped to do well but didn’t really expect to win, “I had jet-lag as I just came back from Paris yesterday (Tuesday) after competing in the Euro Challenge,” said Jacqueline.

“I could not sleep the day and only had three hours’ sleep when I joined my Sarawak team-mates at the team hotel,” she said.

Jacqueline, who finished 9th and emerged as the best Malaysian women’s performer in the Paris event, thus justified her recent promotion to the national elite squad.

Fellow Sarawakian Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana, who was also promoted to the elite squad together with Jacqueline, finished fifth with 1,194.

National elite bowler Sin Li Jane of Perak, who was the women’s national champion last year, finished second with 1233 pinfalls while Jerusha Chan of Pahang finished third with 1231 pinfalls.

National bowler Hee Kar Yen of Kuala Lumpur, who together with Jacqueline, Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Zandara Aziela, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Aaron Kong, Muhd.Syafiq Ridhwan were in the team who competed in Paris, finished fourth on 1,219 pinfalls.

Jacqueline’s feat was more remarkable as she beat national team-mates like Sin Li Jane, Zandra (Selangor, 8th), Wendy Chai (WP/ KL, 10th)and Zatil Iman of Selangor, who finished 11th yesterday.

Sarawak’s good day was made complete when Aris Ardila Santosoh finished third in the men’s singles event won by national stalwart Alex Liew. Second was Muhd Shafiq Ridhwan of Kuala Lumpur, who had finished third in the Euro Challenge.

Alex, 35, posted scores of 212, 226, 263, 202, 206 and 206 for a total of 1315 while Shafiq had scores of 221, 213, 204, 204, 200, 233, 195, for a total of 1266 pinfalls.

Aris, who started slowly with a score of 155 in the first game, improved fast to score 204, 228, 219, 231 and 226 to total 1263, to finish on just three pins behind Shafiq.

The Borneo Post Online (12.03.2011)

State fielding second stringers for national meets

Posted on March 12, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: Sarawak are fielding second stringers for the boys and girls events at the Astro 35th National Closed Championship and the Astro 24th InterState Championship at Sunway Megalanes, Sunway Pyramid in Selangor from March 16 to 19.

EXPOSURE TRIP: Francis Nyurang Ding (second right, middle row) presents the state colours to Lu and the state bowling team while MSNS coordinator for tenpin bowling Suefarinawati Tengah (left) looks on. — Photo by Davidson Kho

Team manager Robert Lu said yesterday this was the youngest team that the state has ever sent to the two events that are being jointly organised together with the Peter Yap Memorial Cup.

“We are sending the second liners from the state elite back-up team with the objective of giving the young bowlers exposure and a chance for them to perform at the national stage,” he said after receiving the state colours from Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Francis Nyurang Ding at Civic Centre Kuching.

He said a majority of the young bowlers would be making their debut at the national championship.
Lu, who is also vice president of Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas), said no medals target has been set for the boys and girls teams but felt that the men’s team might have a fighting chance of winning some medals.

“They include Sukma XIII gold medallist Chong Jun Foo and national back-up bowler Aris Ardila Santosoh who was dropped from the squad last Friday by Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress upon orders from the National Sports Council due to budget problems,” he said.

Lu said the eight keglers dropped from the back-up squad especially Aris would be out to prove that they can beat the national bowlers and give them a good run for their money.

However, it would be no easy task for Sarawak to win in the men’s and women’s events because the state bowlers will be up against the best bowlers from the national line-up including Alex Liew, Adrian Ang, Aaron Kong, Zulmazran Zulkilfi, Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi, Sharon Koh, Esther Cheah and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman.

Other members of the men’s team are Kelvin Eng and Peter Pu.

The women’s team will be spearheaded by recently promoted national bowlers Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana Abg Jamalidon and Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore, Caroline Chien and Nurafidza Mohd Amran.

Bong Kihow will lead the boys team that also consists of Christopher Tiong, Jeremy Jerome Jonathan and Muhd Syafiq Sajeli while the girls team comprises Jackelyn Ng, Jocelyn Judith Jonathan, Nadine Kong and Nerosha Keligit.

Sarawak finished second in the interstate championship last year with six silver and one bronze medals.
The silvers were won by Daniel Tan in the boys singles, Jackelyn Ng in the girls singles, Aris Ardilla Santosoh and Chong Jun Foo in the men’s doubles, Jackelyn Ng and Nurafidza Mohd Amran in the girls doubles, the boys team and girls team while the solitary bronze was captured by Nurafidza Mohd Amran in the girls All-Events.

Meanwhile, the boys team for the National Closed consists of Jonathan Ding Sagan, Daniel Tan and Abang Nazreen Firdaus while the members of the girls team are Ellysha Syafeena, Farzana Ibrahim and Raylin Ang.
Eight bowlers including one girl will also be going to compete in the Peter Yap Memorial Cup for the U-15 and U-12 and the Youth Boys Graded as well as the Youth Girls Graded on their own initiative and expenses.

They are Adri Shahri Santosoh, Razif Safini, Mohd Uzair Irsyad, Jeff Jerry Hii, Ethan Lo, Brendan Phang, Joshua Joel Jonathan and Dayang Ainin Sofiya.

The state team is trained by head coach Jackson Ting and his assistants Reginald Walter Anggas, Angelo Koay and Jeff Chin.

Abas deputy president Shaifulbahri Shukri is the assistant team manager.

Honshu, Japan, our prayers are with you!!!

On the 11th of March, 2011 at approximately 1pm+ local time, a 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck which triggered tsunami waves of a massive height of 33 feet hit the coast of Honshu, northeast of Japan.

We are saddened to hear of reports that hundreds of lives has been lost and many more still missing and unaccounted for. Those area with tsunami warnings, please heed the advice and take necessary precautions.

Let us, the whole bowling fraternity of Sarawak, keep those who are affected by the catastrophe in our prayers and our hearts. May they find their strength and light through this dark hours.  

Flag presentation and Team meeting for Interstate and National Closed 2011

Notice to all senior and youth bowlers participating in the 35th National & 24th Interstates Bowling Championship 2011, a flag presentation with our Pengarah of M.S.N.S. and team meeting will be held this Friday and Saturday.

11.03.2011 (Friday) -     Majlis Sukan Negeri Sarawak
                                        office at Dewan Suarah
                                        (Civic Centre) Kuching
                                        @2.00pm (1400hrs)
                                         Attire: Interstate & National 
                                         Championship Uniform (Yellow)
                                         with black long pants
                                         (Jeans strictly prohibited)

12.03.2011 (Saturday) -   Team meeting at President's,
                                         Sunny Si, office at Hock Kui
                                         Commercial Centre,
                                         Jalan Keretapi
                                        @2.30pm (1430hrs)
                                        Attire: Casual

Please observe the stated times, venue and dress code. Your punctuality, cooperation and attendance is highly appreciated.

Sarawak's Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore and Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana are now Malaysian Elite tigers!!!

More to cheer for Sarawak tenpin bowling fraternity as today we celebrate the success of Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore and Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana's inclusion into the Malaysian National Elite Team. A proud day it is for us when the announcement was made.

(from left to right) Jacqueline J. Sijore and Dayang Khairuniza Dhiyana in the recent Asian Championships-Abu Dhabi in January, 2011.

Both girls practically grew up together in the sport as they have always been the cream of their generation of bowlers. Training hard, strong willed, right attitude and never once doubting their own abilities, they worked their way up the ranks from Pusat Cemerlang to U.S.P.T.N. AA, then AAA, made into the state's Elite Team then on was a fast ride into the National Youth Team as they belted titles after titles, followed by National Elite Backup and now at last, the holy grail of Malaysian tenpin bowling, Team Malaysia Elite.

After their strong performance in Sukma 2010 when they prove to the nation that they are one of the very best in the country by practically sweeping every event, the Girls Doubles, Trios, All-Event, they were duly awarded spots in the National Elite Backup team. With performances and results in the international scene throughout 2010, they have earned their Elite team status by pure merit.

The pair have been golden girls for our state and we hope their achievements will be an example for the new generation of upcoming trainees to replicate and even to better. The bar has been set boys and girls of Sarawak, are you ready to take up the challenge, the initiative and raise Sarawak's tenpin bowling success story to greater heights??!!!

The results from the N.S.C. - M.T.B.C. Nationwide Evaluation 2011

In January 2011, Sarawak had its annual N.S.C. - M.T.B.C. Nationwide Evaluation with National Youth coaches, Foong Tak Meng and Azidi Ameran together with M.T.B.C. official, Mr. George Tan, was tasked to grade our trainees and classify them according to their skill level for this season's U.S.P.T.N. AA and AAA training program.
After the evaluators' trained observation and careful deliberation, the results are as follows;

U.S.P.T.N. AAA

1. Chong Jun Foo
2. Muhd Syafiq Bin Sajeli
3. Jonathan Ding Sagan
4. Daniel Tan Yan Han
5. Jeremy Jerome Jonathan
6. Jackelyn Ng Shuk Chuen
7. Jocelyna Judith Jonathan
8. Dayang Ainin Sofiya

U.S.P.T.N. AA

1. Anthony Luang Cheng
2. Muhd Uzair Irsyad
3. Jeff Jerry Hii
4. Cherfenny Layun Parag
5. Bryan Mackinson
6. Nerosha Keligit
7. Brendan Phang
8. Ryan Lanyu
9. Allexiss O'Neil Edward
10. Ellysha Syafeena
11. Aidilya Natasha
12. Razif Safini
13. Raylin Ang Ke Xin
14. Ethan Lo
15. Jacelyn Ng Shuh Wun
16. Joshua Joel Jonathan
17. Daniel Wong
18. Melvin Gilbert
19. Donovan Rhomesh

Congratulations to the trainees who made the grade and you are to report for your training according to your assigned program latest by next week.
Congratulations and kudos to the parents of the successful trainees as your correct and proper approach in involvement of supporting and encouraging and not interference, has been essential in the trainees' progress.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the national evaluators that came to our humble homeland to patiently and impartially grade and classify our trainees.

We have officially moved!!!

A.B.A.S. previous registered address with R.O.S. was at 25-28, 3rd Floor, Block C, King's Centre, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak and the P.O. Box at 1764, 93736 Kuching, Sarawak way back when the association was first formed.

With the consent and approval of the committee, we have submitted for change and update of address to the R.O.S. and they have agreed and approved. So now our official address is at Suite 8.21 & 8.22, Hock Kui Commercial Centre, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak and P.O. Box 3275, 93764 Kuching, Sarawak.

Please direct all future correspondence here everyone, thank you and cheers!!!