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New Straits Times

At 83, Holloway is still the beating heart of Malaysian bowling [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: At 83, there's no sign of Malaysia's bowling maestro Holloway Cheah slowing down. Though he officially retired as the national head coach at the end of 2022, Holloway's life continues to revolve around the sport that has defined his journey for decades. In truth, he has never really left his second home, Sunway Mega Lanes, the national team's training ground that has nurtured generations of world-class bowlers under his watchful eye. To this day, Holloway remains a familiar and beloved presence at the centre. Whether he's strolling along the concourse or catching up with old friends over coffee at the centre's cafe, his connection to the bowling community is as strong as ever. And he's still coaching — unofficially, but passionately. Whether it's eager young talents with dreams of glory or recreational bowlers looking to improve their game, even housewives — Holloway is always ready to offer a tip or two. "I'm the kind of person who just can't stay at home. Saturdays are the worst — I wake up, scroll my phone, and feel completely lost." "Sometimes I end up sleeping the whole day because time passes so slowly. At least on Sundays I get to go to church. Honestly, I always look forward to Mondays!" quipped Holloway, his white hair now a badge of wisdom. "Bowling is still in me. It makes me happy when someone comes up and asks for help with their game. In the mornings, there's even a group of housewives — some of them are really competitive! They'll ask for advice, and I'm more than happy to guide them." "Holloway's keen eye for talent hasn't dulled with age. In fact, he's still actively scouting promising bowlers beyond the boundaries of the national team. "If I see someone with that special spark, I'll flag it to MTBC so they can keep tabs," he shared, ever passionate about nurturing the next generation. "And he's not just scouting — he's still shaping futures. In an unofficial capacity with the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC), Holloway was entrusted with a Special Squad last year, a group of seven handpicked hopefuls. Two of them — Ethan Damien Goh and Quratu'ain Izdihar Mohd Pozi — have since earned their spots in the national youth squad this year. "Ethan, just 15, wasted no time making headlines. At the recent Malaysian Open, he pulled off a jaw-dropping feat by winning both the boys' Open and the men's Open titles — an unprecedented double. Not only did he outplay seasoned seniors, he also became the youngest-ever winner of the men's Open. "Another of Holloway's proteges, Negri Sembilan's R. Piretisha, added to the celebration by clinching the girls' Graded category title." As national head coach, Holloway had led Malaysian bowlers to the pinnacle of the sport — securing titles at the World Championships, World Cup, Asian Games, Asian Championships, and Sea Games. Under his guidance, Malaysians also tasted success on the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour and the European Bowling Tour. With such a long and glittering resume, it's no surprise that Holloway finds it hard to pick a single highlight. But when asked about a low point in his career, he didn't hesitate. The 2014 Incheon Asian Games still stings. Malaysia came home with four silver medals — but to Holloway, it wasn't good enough. "The Incheon Asian Games is one I'll never forget. I kept asking myself what went wrong. Four silvers may sound commendable, but not for me, especially when bowling has always been one of Malaysia's gold medal contributors," he said. "Nobody remembers you for finishing second. That's what I always tell my Ajitpal, [26/4/2025 9:50 PM] bowlers. You can't aim to be second best. No one remembers how you lost the game, they remember how you won it." Despite the many triumphs he has witnessed, one regret still lingers for Holloway — bowling's absence from the Olympic Games. A man who has spent a lifetime producing world-class champions, Holloway firmly believes Malaysia's long wait for Olympic gold might have ended long ago — if only bowling had its place on sport's grandest stage. "My only regret is that bowling is not in the Olympics. If it was, I'm sure Malaysia wouldn't still be waiting for our first gold," he said. "We would have won a few by now, no doubt about it." If anything, Holloway stepped down in 2022 leaving the national bowling team in solid shape — not only with a strong lineup of athletes, but also under the capable leadership of an all-local coaching team, led by his trusted lieutenant, Ben Heng. It was a handover done with intent, not just before Holloway hung up his clipboards, but long before, ensuring continuity and a legacy of excellence. Today, Malaysia's national bowling setup is not just a model for other local sports associations. "I'm very happy to see how successful the team is now. Under Ben, they've continued making history," said Holloway proudly. "We finally won an PBA Tour title (through Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam), and we were crowned overall champions at the Asian Championships. That's no ordinary feat, especially beating the South Koreans. "In the world of bowling, it's the Americans and South Koreans at the top, and I'm proud to say, we now stand on par with them." But Holloway is quick to share the credit. He fondly acknowledged the late Datuk Dr. P.S. Nathan, former MTBC president, for laying the foundation of what bowling in Malaysia has become today. "The stability we enjoy now stems from the foundation built under the leadership of the late Dr. Nathan. And I must also credit my predecessor, Sid Allen, who coached the team between 1990 and 2000. He was the one who introduced a solid development programme, I simply continued and strengthened it. "We now have a full coaching lineup made up of former national bowlers. Ben is leading the elite squad, assisted by Wendy Chai and Gerald Samuel. For the youth squad, we've got Azidi Ameran and Alex Liew. "There's no need for foreign coaches anymore. In the early days, maybe, but now, our coaches have the technical know-how. They understand ball setups, lane strategies, everything. We've come a long way." Malaysia's talent pipeline has even caught the attention of international counterparts. "The Europeans are often amazed at how we've built such a deep pool of talents." For Holloway, the medals and accolades were never just about personal achievement, they were about raising the bar for Malaysian bowling and paving the way for others to follow. His quiet presence and enduring passion continue to uplift the sport long after his official duties ended. As long as there are pins to knock down and potential to uncover, Holloway will never truly walk away. His legacy is etched not just in the record books, but in the hearts of every bowler he has inspired.