KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Ethan Damien Goh is set to make his debut for the national team when he competes in the Asian Junior Bowling Championships, kicking off at the Sunway Mega Lanes in Subang Jaya on Tuesday.
The 14-year-old Sarawak-born is part of Malaysia Team A, also comprising reigning national youth champion Danial Abu Samah, Ahmad Farish Danial Efzaufi, and Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan.
They aim to re-establish the country as strong contenders in the boys' events after a catastrophic outing in Singapore last year.
Danial was part of the team that returned empty-handed from the Singapore edition last year.
Fortunately, the girls' team salvaged some pride for Malaysia by bagging one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. The sole gold was contributed by Adania Redzwan in the girls' singles event.
However, Adania is overaged for the Under-18 tournament this time, but the host can certainly count on the three returning members – Adelia Nur Irwan Syazalee, Afiqah Kamilia Ali, and Nur Ainul Hayat Ad Nor – to deliver the goods.
Intan Nor Edryyana Nor Azliman makes up Malaysia Team B.
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) continued its tradition of sending boys' and girls' Team B as well, made up mostly of the top performers of the national junior circuit.
The four boys picked were Amin Zulkarnain Zulkifli, Eldred Kho, Aiman Syahin Sulaiman, and Aqil Faizal, while the girls' team included Qurratu'ain Izdihar Pozi, Khairin Batrisya Ahmad Lufti, Mayra Khayreena Khairi, and Aswan Thurayya Zackir Rakesh.
With Malaysia hosting the championships for the fifth time, and for the first time after a lapse of seven years, hopes are high that the 16-strong squad will be able to replicate the success of the 2017 edition in Kuching, where they swept six out of the 10 golds on offer.
Southpaw Ethan, touted as the next big thing in Malaysian bowling, will certainly be the one to watch. It will be interesting to see if he's able to live up to the hype.
Ethan first caught the attention of many about two years ago when he achieved a clean sweep of all age group titles, including Under-23, at the Brunswick Youth Challenge.
He proved his credentials by winning the boys' Open title at the Malaysia Open in April.
"We have assembled the best possible squad featuring our top Under-18 players, and we are confident they will shine," said MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok.
"With capable coaches Azidi Ameran and Alex Liew leading the charge, our team is fully prepared to perform well on home soil and make the country proud.
"Malaysia is one of the most successful nations in the tournament's history, and we are determined to maintain that legacy."
In its 23rd edition, this year's event will be contested by 14 countries, including main contenders Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
