DON'T BECOME COMPLACENT, NATIONAL LAWN BOWLERS TOLD

SEPANG, May 5 (Bernama) -- National bowlers have been reminded not to become complacent despite their achievement in defending the overall titles in the 16th Asia Lawn Bowls Championship and 14th Asian Under-25 Lawn Bowls Championship in Clarke, the Philippines recently.

Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said that, while happy with the achievement, he feels that the national lawn bowlers need to work harder, especially in preparation for the World Cup in Hong Kong in November and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

"The World Cup and Commonwealth Games are a different breed of competitions altogether compared to the Asia meet. The two upcoming tournaments will feature better and stronger opponents from some of the world's best teams.

"I was told that the venue for the Commonwealth Games is different from the ones we train on. So, I hope our players will strive harder to ensure they are ready for the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup,” he said.

He told reporters this after welcoming home the national lawn bowlers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 here today.

Previously, the national team ended their campaign in the Asia Lawn Bowls Championship with a haul of seven golds, two silvers and one bronze to reaffirm Malaysia's status as one of Asia's powerhouse in lawn bowls.

The seven gold medals were clinched in the men’s team events (pairs, triples and fours); women’s team events (singles and pairs); and Under-25 events (women’s singles and mixed pairs).

Meanwhile, Awalan said the federation will seek the National Sports Council (NSC) to consider rewarding the winners under the National Sports Incentives Scheme (SHAKAM).

-- BERNAMA