Malaysia has successfully developed into a formidable force on the World stage in lawn bowls. Written a colourful history – with winners at World Championships, Com-monwealth Games, Asian Championships and SEA Games.
In 2008, Safuan Said took the world by storm when he was crowned World No.1 in the men’s singles.
Nor Iryani Azmi, Mohd Hizlee Abd Rais, Siti Zalina Ahmad and Emma Firyana Saroji did the nation proud winning World titles, too.
Last December, Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple missed the World title by a whisker losing to Eng-land’s Sam Tolchard (3-12, 6-4, 2-3) at the World Singles Champi-on of Champions in New Zealand.
Malaysia hope to continue the legacy and reach the pinnacle. They are not far off superpowers – Australia, England and New Zealand.
What an exciting way to kick-start 2023 ! Last December, Izzat Shameer Dzukeple made heads turn in World Bowls – winning a silver in the Singles Champion of Cham-pions in New Zealand.
Then, the national team stamped their mark in Asia again for a record ninth-time in February this year.
Malaysia emerged overall champions at the 14th Asian Lawn Bowls Championships in Ipoh, Perak. We won 4-gold, 2-silver and 2-bronze medals.
The future augurs well, too.
We emerged overall champions of the Asian Under-25 tournament – making a clean sweep (3-gold).
We are stepping up efforts to consolidate our position on the World stage.
Programmes and com-petitions are lined-up for corporate sectors, national age-groups and in schools. In June, we will kick-off the inaugural ‘National League’ in our bid to un-earth and tap a bigger pool of talents for the national team.
Our immediate goal is to make waves in Gold Coast for the 2023 World Bowls Championships in August.
We are bent on taking lawn bowls to the next level !