By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 31: Megalanes Sarawak, the largest bowling centre in Sarawak, now features the world’s first Kegel Specto and Torch Digital Training equipment across all 42 lanes, setting a global benchmark for precision and innovation in bowling coaching and training.
Located within Emart Batu Kawa, this cutting-edge facility, which has been upgraded at a cost of over RM3 million including a 72-metre long immersive LED screen, has also been inaugurated as the Sarawak Research and Training Centre (SRTC) for tenpin bowling.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed confidence that this technology would revolutionise bowling training for Sarawakian athletes and attract teams from around the globe lacking such resources to train and hone their skills in Sarawak.
“Indonesia is negotiating with us to send their national teams to train here. I believe other countries within this region, like the Philippines, will also be interested to send their teams.
“I believe this is the only place in Malaysia where all 42 bowling lanes are synchronised with the system that collects player data for performance analytics. Elsewhere, perhaps only two to four lanes are connected with such computerised coaching stations,” he said.
With the 42 lanes sanctioned by the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) and International Bowling Federation (IBF) and coupled with state-of-the-art Kegal Atlas oiling machines and a fully equipped gym, Abdul Karim acknowledged that the SRTC will be a hub for international excellence for elite athletes in bowling.
The technology empowers coaches with comprehensive data analytics on every shot executed by athletes, including rev rates, launch angles, ball speed, trajectory shape, and accuracy metrics.
Such detailed insights enable tailored training programmes aimed at enhancing athletes’ performance and achieving unparelleled precision in their physical game.
Commenting on the substantial investment in millions to bring the technology to Sarawak, Abdul Karim pointed out that the money was well spent considering the positive results produced, notably with many of the Malaysia national squad bowlers are Sarawakians.
“It provides opportunities for kids in outlying areas like Asajaya and Gedong in Samarahan, which do not have such facilities, to experience bowling, develop an interest, and train in an excellent facility.
“Athletes are not born overnight. We need to sow the seeds and ensure the development of a sport and training. It takes years to become a champion. Malaysia has not seen an Olympian gold medalist yet, and with this kind of development, we want Sarawak to be the sports powerhouse because we want to see an Olympian gold medallist from Sarawak,” he explained.
With this technology and resources, Abdul Karim hopes to see Sarawakian athletes deliver gold medals in the coming Sukma Games 2024.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts noted that this development would also boost the local economy, benefiting multiple sectors, including the tourism industry from hospitality, food and beverage, to various services.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Amateur Bowling (Tenpin) Association Sarawak (ABAS) deputy chairman Sunny Sii, its vice president Robert Lu, and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive officer Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan were present. — DayakDaily
