Bowling set for ‘explosive’ Melaka final …

Bernama’s bowling league is set for an “explosive” final at the world-class Melaka

International Bowling Centre (MIBC)  on Saturday, November 9.

It is the venue for last year's final – the second outside Klang Valley after Genting Hilghlands in 2006 since the league started nine years ago.

Fifty three players including nine women have qualified to play in the final to decide  two  winners – overall champion and final round.

Reigning overall champion Zuber Nordin is leading the pack since the first round in January with Halim Hafiz closing in strongly.

Mohd Noor Atan, who won the final round last year, said round 9 of the league would be held at Endah Parade this Sunday.

“Initial participation was around 80 Bernama staff across the board…anyone can join as long as they are Kelab Kakitangan Bernama (KKB)  members.

“They have to play a minimum of six out of the nine rounds to be eligible for the finale,” said Mohd Noor,  secretary of the “unofficial” bowling club.

Why Melaka and not bowling centres in Kuala Lumpur for the final?

“Apart from cheaper rates, MIBC  was chosen because of its  international standard facilities and we had a pleasant experience last year,” he said.

“For the monthly rounds, we only play 6 games but for the final will be 12 games,”  said Mohd Noor.

The league had been played every month except for the fasting month of Ramadan.

“After bowling, we go for Mamak!,” he quipped.

He said participants in Melaka could stay at the Klebang Beach Resort with ‘subsidy’ provided by the bowling club, which holds election of office bearers among players every year.

Registration to join the league is done on a yearly basis. 

“He said the club had another choice of playing in Johor Baharu but shot it down because “too far”.

“We will consider it for next year-lah,” said Mohd Noor, who is manager of Media and Foreign Newswires Division.

He said cash prizes waits the overall ranking and final round winners.

Declining to reveal the amount, he hinted; “Ratus-ratus jugalah…”

Asked about his chances of winning again in the final round, Mohd Noor said: “It really depends on your skill, anyone can emerge as champion… but for overall we can almost assume who.”

“Seriously, everyone has a chance…its u against the pins,  a game of no body contact,” he said.

Zuber, meanwhile, played down on speculation about his imminent victory although he had been overall champions seven out of nine times of the tournament history.

“Situasi final berbeza kerana memerlukan kekuatan fizikal dan mental sebab main 12 game berbanding 6 game pada liga biasa,” katanya.

Bagaimana persedian menghadapi cabaran?

“Practise biasa-biasa je…yang penting kita kena konsisten pada setiap balingan., .sebab kita bukan lawan dengan orang guna body contact...kita hanya berlawan dengan pin yang ada di depan mata saja.

Kalau salah percaturan, memang salah kita sebab mental tak kuat dok tengok point orang,” katanya.