KUCHING: Sarawak enjoyed a dream start to the lawn bowl competition at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), sweeping all their matches on the opening day.
The state’s dominance was evident from the outset, with the Men’s Triples team setting the tone with a 14-10 victory over Johor.
The Men’s Pairs carried the momentum, securing an 18-12 win against Negeri Sembilan.
Sarawak’s women also shone. The Women’s Singles player defeated Negeri Sembilan 21-15, while the Women’s Fours overcame Wilayah Persekutuan 11-8.
The evening session saw more of the same. The Women’s Singles player edged out Kelantan 21-19, and the Men’s Triples team defeated Kelantan 16-9. The Men’s Pairs continued their winning run, beating Johor 19-14, and the Women’s Fours capped off the day with a 17-12 victory over Penang.
Sarawak Lawn Bowls Head Coach Nur Fithri Yaani Hamdin was delighted with her team’s performance.
“Alhamdulillah, we’ve won all four sessions today. The athletes have hit every target we set for them,” she told reporters at Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena yesterday.
Looking ahead, Nur Fithri is aiming for a top-six finish in the league to secure a semi-final berth.
“Tomorrow, we will continue in the league stages, striving to secure a top-six spot, which will automatically qualify us for the semi-finals,” she said.
While pleased with the results, the coach acknowledged areas for improvement.
“In terms of their throws, the athletes need to stay focused and remember their training. But overall, we are confident in their ability to perform,” she added.
Nur Fithri also credited the support of the athletes’ schoolmates for their success.
“When their friends cheer them on, it really boosts their confidence. The ball just seems to glide in perfectly,” she said.
