'Guru of Sarawak Bowling' honoured with Sport Leadership Award
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) deputy president Sunny Si was conferred the Sport Leadership Award at the 2024 National Sports Awards today in recognition of his decades-long contribution to bowling and sports development in the country.
President of the Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS) since 1988, Sunny has been the architect behind Sarawak's transformation into a bowling powerhouse, earning him the title "Guru of Sarawak Bowling."
Under his visionary leadership, Sarawak have consistently dominated the national bowling scene, including an outstanding performance at the 2024 Sukma, where the host state captured five gold, one silver and two bronze medals — topping the bowling medal tally for the fifth time in a row.
Sunny's efforts have also paved the way for Sarawak-born athletes to shine on the international and national stage.
Among them are world champion Jacqueline Sijore (2011), Gillian Lim, winner of the Malaysia Open and National Championships in 2024, and rising stars such as Ethan Damien Goh, Gordon Tsen, Nur Hazirah Ramli, and Lavinia Kho, the 2023 Malaysian Open champion.
Last year, Sunny made history by becoming the first Sarawakian to be elected MTBC deputy president — a role that affirms East Malaysia's growing prominence in the national sports arena.
He previously served for many years as vice president and general councillor under the late Datuk Dr. P.S. Nathan, who was also a recipient of the Sport Leadership Award in 2005.
Sunny's influence extends far beyond bowling.
He sits on the Board of Management of the Sarawak Sports Corporation, has served as secretary general of the Sarawak Shooting Association, and was a board member of the Sarawak State Sports Council, playing key roles in advancing grassroots and high-performance sport in the state.
Reacting to the award, Sunny expressed deep gratitude to those who have supported his journey.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Anugerah Kepimpinan Sukan Negara," he said.
"My sincere appreciation goes to the Majlis Sukan Negri Sarawak for the gracious nomination, and to the Majlis Sukan Negara for their endorsement and support.
"This recognition would not have been possible without the steadfast backing of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) and the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), whose commitment to sports development continues to inspire and empower many across the nation.
"I am profoundly grateful to the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) and ABAS for giving me the opportunity to serve a sport I hold so dearly. Their belief in my vision has been a constant source of motivation.
"I accept this award not as a personal accolade, but as a tribute to the tireless efforts of all who have journeyed with me — mentors, peers, athletes, and volunteers alike. It stands as a reminder of our shared commitment to uplifting Malaysian sport through integrity, inclusion, and visionary leadership."
Adding further glow to the day, the Malaysian women's bowling team were named Team of the Year, in recognition of their dominant display at the Asian Championships in Bangkok last year. The six-member squad — Sin Li Jane, Natasha Roslan, Gillian, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal, Nur Syazwani Sahar and Faten Najihah Ahmad Faik — clinched the overall title for the women's category with a medal haul of three gold, two silver and two bronze.
With most of the team currently competing on the PWBA Tour in the United States, Faten accepted the award on the team's behalf.
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