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Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Abas chief Si honoured at National Sports Awards
Si (sixth right) with Rentap (fourth left), Fatimah (fifth right), Hii (third right) and other state officials and sports leaders at the NSA ceremony yesterday. Also seen is Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (fourth right) who received the National Para Athlete of the Year. KUCHING (May 14): Amateur Tenpin Bowling Association of Sarawak (Abas) president Sunny Si Poh Heng created more history for Sarawak tenpin bowling when he received the National Sports Leadership Award at the National Sports Awards (NSA) 2024 at Dorsett Grand Subang in Subang Jaya, Selangor yesterday. After becoming the first Sarawakian to be elected as the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) deputy president in September last year, Si became the first ABAS president to receive the National Sports Leadership Award from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeo at the awards ceremony. Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Minister for Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Hii Chang Kee. 'I am deeply honoured and proud to be nominated … I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) for the gracious nomination and to National Sports Council (MSN) for their kind endorsement,' he told The Borneo Post. Adding on, he said the recognition would not be possible without the support and encouragement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYSED) and the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) whose commitment to the development of sports and leadership continues to inspire and empower individuals across the nation. 'I am profoundly grateful to MTBC and Abas for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve and contribute within the sport I hold so dearly,' he added. Si has helmed Abas since 1988 and served as MTBC deputy president since 2024 and vice president from 1996 to 2004. He has also been Sarawak Sports Corporation management board committee since 2016 and MSNS management committee from 2008 to 2017. He had served as assistant chef-de-mission for tenpin bowling from Sukma V (1994) to XXI (2024) at the state level, and technical officer and team manager to the SEA, Asian and Commonwealth Games at the national level.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'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.
![At 83, Holloway is still the beating heart of Malaysian bowling [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHolloway_Cheah2-260425_1745719217.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- 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.
