KUCHING: The state’s first ever Senator School Bowling programme here, will be able to produce and groom potential gold medal tenpin bowlers from primary and secondary schools in the semi-rural areas.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim who launched the programme today (Feb 19), said the sport of bowling has always been a city game and it is time to bring this sport to young ones outside of the city.
There are about 100 students from seven semi-rural schools namely SJK Chung Hua Sg Tapang, SK Garland, SK Paya Mebi, SK Landeh, SMK Batu Kawa, SMK Matang Jaya and SMK Matang Hilir, taking part in this inaugural programme at Megalanes Sarawak, Batu Kawa here.
“It is called Senator School Bowling because I want it to continue after my term (as a senator) ends.
“For now, it will start in Kuching before it is further expanded to districts with bowling facilities in bigger towns like Miri and Sibu.
“If the local assemblymen or MPs want to pick up the same idea and continue the programme in their areas, that is their choice. But there must be a bowling centre first,” he said, adding that the first programme is funded by him through the Sarawak government.
He shared that the biggest concern of parents for their children is ‘lepak’ or spending time loitering aimlessly with their friends and their after-school events.
“Because of that, I chose the sport of bowling as an after-school programme as it is safe and a sport that does not have size, age or height requirement to play.
“With this sport and help from the Amateur Bowling (Tenpin) Association Sarawak (ABAS), we are able to develop them at a young age, coach and guide them to perfection,” he said.
In addition, Ahmad noted that he wants to help in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and bowling has always been one of the biggest contributors for gold medals in Sarawak.
He said he would like ABAS to groom the young ones and find potential bowlers who continue the state’s pursuit for gold medals for SUKMA, SEA Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.
Also present were Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive officer Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan and ABAS president Sunny Si Poh Heng.
