Sarawak bowlers off to strong start at National Junior Circuit
MIRI (July 3): The lanes of Megalanes East Miri roared with youthful energy this week as the Sportexcel-NSC-MIilo-MTBC Junior Circuit Sarawak Leg got underway.
The event, which runs from July 1-3, has drawn 186 promising young tenpin bowlers — 93 each from Sarawak and Sabah — competing in six categories ranging from Under-12 to Open divisions.
Although the competition is still ongoing for the Boys' and Girls' Graded and Open categories, the Boys' and Girls' Under-12 divisions have concluded, providing an early glimpse into the rising talents representing Sarawak.
With strong home-ground support and a determined spirit, Sarawak's young bowlers made an early mark, especially in the Girls' Under-12 category.
Twelve-year-old Nur Fathi Fatihah Mohammad Zakry from SK RPR Jalan Astana emerged victorious in the Girls' Under-12 final, defeating fellow Sarawakian Maihanna Mazuan of SK Agama (MIS) Miri with a score of 167–144 in the stepladder showdown.
Maihanna had earlier clinched a hard-fought semi-final win, 172-155, against Sabah's Dayang Hasya Izz Zayani Abang Mohd Hafiff.
Dayang Hasya from SK Api-Api in Kota Kinabalu, secured third place, while teammate Nur Zulaikha Balqis Zulkifly Affendy placed fourth with a commendable pinfall total of 1,867.
Other notable performances included Sarawak's Joyce Lidwina Wilfred Vincent and Nur Asiyah Redzuan, along with Sabah's Aisyah Hana Anugerah Mohamad Haidir.
Sarawak's strong presence in the top ranks of this category reflects the state's commitment to grassroots development and training systems.
In the Boys' Under-12 division, Sabah's Muhd Hafiz Saiful of SRK St Agnes Likas claimed the championship title after a dominant performance, defeating Sarawak's Jasmy Zhariff Jasmawardhy of SK Lutong, Miri, 202–131.
Jasmy had earlier bowled his way past teammate Lee Tee Ker in the semi-final with a score of 164–129, showing great promise and poise throughout the tournament.
Tee Ker, who finished third, was followed by another Sarawakian, Muhd Amzar Ahmad Syukri, who placed fourth with a total pinfall of 1,856.
Though the Boys' Under-12 title went to Sabah, Sarawak bowlers continued to hold their ground with strong performances.
Edward Choo Jia Jing and Jonas Yap Zao Min, also representing Sarawak, finished in the top eight alongside Sabah's Muhd Khairie Syazwan Mohd Shaharudin and Ahmad Syahmi Ahmad Jaludin.
The prize presentation for the Girls Under-12 was officiated by Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) deputy president Shaifulbahri Shukri, while the Boys Under-12 prizes were presented by Persatuan Tenpin Boling Negeri Sabah Baru (PTBNSB) deputy president Aisyah Abdullah.
Both presenters expressed their pride in the outstanding display of sportsmanship and talent from the young participants.
The Sportexcel Junior Circuit continues to be an essential platform for youth development in Malaysian bowling.
For Sarawak, this leg of the circuit is more than just a competition — it is a celebration of talent, discipline, and the promise of a bright future in the sport. lead Sportexcel-NSC-MIilo-MTBC Junior Circuit Sarawak Leg
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