KUALA LUMPUR: Sin Li Jane's stirring US Women's Open triumph, a historic first for Malaysian bowling, proves that funding cuts are no hindrance to the nation's bowlers in their pursuit of international success.
Despite being a top-performing sport in Malaysia, where a host of champions have been churned out at world and continental levels for the past three decades, bowling was not spared from the goverment's significant budget reduction for sports.
This has led to the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) allowing its bowlers to compete abroad at their own expense starting this year, provided it doesn't clash with major national assignments.
Li Jane and Esther Cheah, members of the women's elite team, opted to participate in the full Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour season from May to August. Simultaneously, Timmy Tan tested his skill against the elite on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour from January to April.
Some bowlers went for one-off tournament opportunities abroad, like the DIBC-Delta Open in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in February, where Hafiz Zainuddin and Ahmad Muaz Fishol finished second and third, respectively.
The MTBC recognises the invaluable experience its players gain from competing at the highest level internationally, vastly benefiting the national squad's strength and development.
The national team have two upcoming major tournaments namely the Asian Championships in Thailand in September and World Cup in Hong Kong, January next year.
"The MTBC is encouraging our top athletes to go compete at the big events. This is a good opportunity for them to grow as professional athletes and pave the way to being truly professional," said MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok.
"We, as a national sports association, and athletes themselves have to start being self-reliant and not overly dependant on government funding. The amount of budget being allocated for bowling is no longer sufficient, mainly due to us not being an Olympic sport. The exclusion from the Asian Games makes the matter worse.
"We're trying our very best to make up for the deficit through corporate sponsorships. Anything that we can secure from the government would be a bonus."
Maradona hailed Li Jane's US Women's Open feat as extraordinary and long overdue, as well as befitting a bowler of her calibre.
"This is definitely a big win for Li Jane. The US Women's Open is a major international Open event that brings together all the top bowlers around the world.
"Li Jane is undoubtedly one of the best women's bowlers the nation has seen and one of the most consistent bowlers in the world.
"The only thing that's missing from her trophy cabinet now is an individual world title, which is still the highest achievement for a bowling athlete.
"She is enjoying the form of her life now, and hopefully, she keeps up the momentum going into the Asian Championships."