Grand Prix Finals Champions
The Under 12 Masters Finals was held this morning and Sabah made a clean sweep of the 2 inaugural titles offered. Ahmad Fawwaz and Stefira Zeandea Greater, both being coached under Sabah Chief Coach, Mr. Ricky Loh was excited and happy when they got to know that they won. Mr. Ricky Loh when asked said "DOUBLE GOOD!" with 2 thumbs up!
Ricky Loh was so happy!Fawwaz who has been bowling for 3 years came with high expectations. Going into the last game, Fawwaz was only leading by 1 pin from Muhd Hareez of Melaka and Jason Syow (MEL) and Ahmad Azraei (SAB) by 3 pins. In the last game, Fawwaz successfully connected strikes and finished with a 190 to seal the deal.
Steffira on the other hand came to Kuantan with hopes to finish in the top 3 and she did that plus an extra bonus of being the CHAMPION. She said "Natasha was my biggest opponent. I didn't expect to win but I'm very happy with my performance!". Steffira also won the gold medals in the MSSM Under-12 Singles and Masters.
Steffira being congratulated by Natasha | Fawwaz with his mum and brother
Both bowlers were hoisted by their coach, praised by their parents and patted on the backs by their supporters.
Open Champs with their trophies and Challenge TrophiesBoys Open was won by Muhd Amsyar from Perak. Amsyar was excited and said that he didn't expect the win at all. He was just playing his own game without any pressure. This is Amsyar's maiden title and it's a boost for him as he has plans to represent Malaysia and some day become a World Champion. He thanked his family, his coach En. Khairul Faizi and his friends for support. His journey to glory are as follows :-
Quarter Finals : Beat Muhd Fazrin (PRK) 346 - 343
Semi Finals : Beat Muhd Amin (PRK) 395 - 359
Finals : Beat Muhd Hanif (PAH) 372 - 312
Cheryl Cheong who won the SUKMA Masters Gold Medal finally nailed it after being bridesmaid for 3 legs before this. She beat Farah Izzazaya of the home state of Pahang 332 - 322. This Form 5 student from Sek. Sukan Bukit Jalil has been bowling 9 years and is an ex-nationaly youth bowler. She came into the GP Finals in hopes of being the top 4 and she did it. She said "I was very nervous in the finals agaist Farah and managed to only score 136 in my first game. But I didn't give up and with the guidance of my coach and support from my friends, I succeeded in stringing strikes and picking up my spares."
Graded Champs Nor Syazana (PRK) and Shaun Chan (SEL)The Boys Graded category was where the excitement was especially in the semi-finals. Champion Shaun Chan from Selangor faced Muhd Shahril Afifie from Pahang in his semi-finals. Shaun and his fellow Selangor supporters thought that he had won after Afifie had a huge 4-7-10 split in his bonus frame but amazingly, Afifie converter that spare and had to strike in order to win by 1 pin. He struck only 9 and that left them both with a total of 369. With that, both bowlers had to bowl 1 extra ball and the bowler who got a higher pin count will win. Shaun bowled first and only got an 8 pincount. Pahang was excited because Afifie had to bowl 9 pins or strike to win. Unfortunately, he also got an 8 pincount. They were still tied and had to bowl another ball. This time, Afifie whent first and still, got an 8. Shaun composed himself and threw his ball. HE STRIKED and his supporters went berserk! He was through to his first finals. In the finals, he bowled confidently and beat Melaka Leg champion Abdul Basit 379 - 294. The GP Finals crown is this south-pawed bowler's maiden title and he will remember it for years to come.
As expected, top-seed Norsyazana Rusli from Perak entered the finals beating Farzana Ibrahim (SWK) 413-265 in the quarter-finals, Sonia Teoh (MEL) 390-352 in the semi-finals and Nur Shahira (KUL) 378-342 in the finals. This form 2 student who won the KL Leg and Melaka Leg titles said, "Of all the girls here, I was afraid of Nur Shahira as went she's on form, she's ON FORM. Luckily for me, I succeeded in telling myself to relax and just focus on my game. I'm very very happy with my performance and my win especially in the GP Finals."
The inaugural Tunku Imran Cup State Champion was won by the state of Perak with their bowlers collecting the most points in the Knock-out Round. With Norsyazana and Muhd Amsyar claiming the titles of Girls Graded and Boys Open, they already had 310 points in the bag. They actually sealed the win after the semi-finals matches were over.
The Perak Team with the inaugural Tunku Imran CupThe prize giving ceremony was graced by YBhg. Dato Hj Samsudin b. Nawawi, Political Secretary to the Menteri Besar of Pahang, En. Mustafa Hilmi, Ketua Unit Sukan Prestasi Tinggi Negeri Pahang, En. Khairul Anwar, Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negeri Pahang, Mr. Ng Ping Loong, Sports Marketing Manager of Nestle Products Sdn. Bhd and En. Syed Mohsin Syed Agil, Vice President of the Persatuan Boling Tenpin Pahang.
SportExcel Foundation was incorporated on 12th August 1989 as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act Malaysia, 1965 and was launched on 8th April 1991. It's a private sports foundation funded by the private sector for the development of youth sports in Malaysia. It provides funds for the organization of an annual Malaysian Junior Circuit for 12 sports, Swimming, Diving, Cricket, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics (Artistic & Rhythmic), Sepaktakraw, Shooting, Squash, Tennis, Tenpin Bowling. It also provides financial assistance in the form of training grants to promising young athletes to train and /or compete locally or overseas.
