KUCHING: As the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) bowling competition kicks off Thursday (Aug 15), the Sarawak women’s team is a powerful blend of excitement, nerves, and unwavering determination to bring home the win.
The squad features six fierce competitors with varying levels of experience – Nur Hazirah and Dayang Yumi Azreen, both 21, Asya Dania Azree, 20, Lavinia Kho Jia Jie, 19, Claudia Kumang Jakson, 17, and the youngest, Andrea Tan Tze Shuen, 15.
New Sarawak Tribune caught up with the team to hear their thoughts, challenges, and the mindset they carry as they step onto the lanes.
Nur Hazirah, 21
This is my third Sukma and my last one, but I’m very excited and happy that I can my bowl my last Sukma on my homegrown and I’ll definitely do my best. I only trained for Sukma for a week because I had a lot of other tournaments before this. I just came back from Thailand and only started training for Sukma, so it’s been very packed for me. I’m ready, but I will focus on the game, always remember what I always trained, and give it my best.
My goal is to adapt quickly to the lanes, maintain consistency in my shots and rhythm, etc. My biggest challenge would have to be myself because I need to manage myself better since I can’t control how others would play. Nothing is usually on my mind because overthinking is not good in bowling. So, I try my very best not to think of anything else when I bowl and just focus on my target.
Dayang Yumi Azreen, 21
Tomorrow’s the big day, and I’m more than ready! I do feel pressured, but I just want to take it as it goes and enjoy the moment tomorrow, since it’s going to be my last Sukma. The biggest challenge for me has got to be myself and what I’m thinking when I’m out there. I need to control my mind and make sure I don’t overthink unnecessarily.
On the lanes, I usually think of where I’m going to throw my targets. I don’t think so much and just shoot my shot. That’s what I always remind myself. I will do my best for Sarawak and I hope my other teammates will do their best as well.
Lavinia Kho Jia Jie, 19
I’m ready for tomorrow. I do feel very nervous and pressured, but my coach has been telling us to manage it by turning these thoughts into motivation and replicate what we trained in tomorrow’s tournament.
My biggest challenge is my expectations because going into tournaments I always tend to give myself high expectations and sometimes that messes up my shots. So, I need to manage my emotions and calm myself down. When I’m on the lane, I look out for my ball motion and just keep on making shots.
Asya Dania Azree, 20
This is my third Sukma and my last. During the last two Games, I won gold, so I hope to be able to do the same. I think we have done our part and we are ready for the tournament tomorrow. My biggest challenge has got to be myself, and whether I can overcome my thoughts so they won’t distract me. On the lane, I usually think of where to throw the ball and make sure I throw it as best as I can, like how I do during training.
Claudia Kumang Jakson, 17
This is my first Sukma and I’m looking forward to it. I’m a bit pressured and stressed but as I think back, I believe I’m ready for this. For me, I just want to do my best and make good shots. To remind myself to also calm down when things get tough and take my time. I hope my other teammates will also bowl their hearts out and I’m sure good results will come out of that.
Andrea Tan Tze Shuen, 15
It’s my first time competing in Sukma. I do feel a bit excited and stressed, but I think I’m ready because I’ve been training for one and a half months, so I’m ready for tomorrow. I need to learn to continue to overcome my emotions when bowling and keep trying to make shots. I want to do good in every shot.
