By Marlynda Meraw
Angelo Koay Ghee Lye’s journey into the world of tenpin bowling was not one paved with intention, but rather, involved a series of serendipitous encounters. A seasoned bowling coach today, he carries with him years of experience, both as a player and a mentor. His love affair with the lanes began in the 1990s when he first picked up a bowling ball and began competing as early as 1993.
However, it wasn’t until a friend suggested Angelo step into a coaching role that he considered the possibility. Having found a sense of family and sanctuary in the sport, he felt a growing urge to give back, to contribute to the sport that had given him so much. This decision led him to join the Pusat Cemerlang Programme in late 2009, and within a year, he took up the call to take over the Unit Sukan Prestasi Tinggi Negeri (USPTN) AA Programme.
In 2010, at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Melaka, he witnessed Sarawak emerge as the overall tenpin bowling champion for the first time. By 2016, his dedication and hard work had earned him the position of Sarawak’s assistant head coach in the sport.
Blood is thicker than water
For the 48-year-old, coaching represents more than just a career shift—it is a calling where he can find and foster a different kind of family as he can build bonds with his athletes that are as deep and strong as family ties.
Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for the family, Angelo knew the importance of finding a home outside the confines of a traditional family. His mother was the breadwinner and time with her was scarce. In those hours apart from her, he found solace in the clattering of bowling pins, forging ties in the bowling alley that felt like family. His love for the sport blossomed not just from passion, but from the relationships he formed—the bonds that were just as precious as any familial ties.
Naturally, there was always a bittersweet tinge whenever the ‘kids’, as he fondly calls them, spread their wings and leave their ‘nests’ for brighter futures elsewhere.
Nevertheless, Angelo’s joy for them is undeniable. He feels a quiet pride, knowing they are stepping into a larger world, growing and developing, carrying a part of him with them. Like family, he sees his athletes off with hope in his heart, proud of how far they had come.
United hearts and shared understanding
Angelo has a coaching style guided by empathy and open communication. He never dismisses the feelings or thoughts of his athletes; instead, he makes it a point to involve them in every decision. Whether it’s about team selection or strategies during a game, he always sits them down, talks them through the options, and ensures everyone understands the situation clearly before reaching a unanimous decision.
There are times, of course, when decisions are hard, and doubts creep in. but Angelo is always grateful for the athletes.
“I’ll be honest. The thing that makes it (decision-making) easier on me is the kids,” he said. Their understanding and trust lighten his burdens, and he wears his pride for them like a badge of honour.
Rolling through life’s frames, memories that never split
He recalls a time before an important evaluation—a chance for young bowlers to showcase their skills and potentially join his programme. Among them was a determined 14-year-old girl who had worked hard for that opportunity. Yet, just a day before the evaluation, a bowling ball fell on her hand, injuring her ring finger. Heartbroken, the girl had to wait another year to show what she could do.
Her sheer determination saw her back on the lanes in just two months, instead of the six months expected initially. Her unwavering spirit and her zeal became etched forever in his memory.
Another unforgettable moment came when one of his athletes, Lavinia Kho Jia Jie, became the first Sarawakian to win a title at the Malaysian International Open Bowling Championships in June 2023. It was a victory that coincided with Angelo’s birthday—a gift he cherishes to this day.
And then there was the time Nur Hazirah Ramli, another athlete he coached, clinched the International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Youth Bowling Championships 2024 in South Korea on her own birthday. Watching her triumph felt like witnessing a child’s dream come true. To Angelo, these athletes are more than just players—they are his family, and their success, his greatest joy.
Scouting beyond skills
Angelo said when scouting for talent, bowling skills are not paramount as skills can be taught, but what matters to him is having the right heart and the right mind. He insisted that those are far more important than the technical skills.
He emphasised having good sportsmanship and character, believing that a holistic athlete—one who is humble, kind, and respectful—is the best athlete. He doesn’t expect gratitude from his athletes, but rather, he encourages them to “pay it forward”, to pass on what they have learned to the next generation.
“Whatever they (athletes) have learned—the skills, the advice, the spirit—it’s not about showing thanks to me,” he said.
“Their responsibility is to pass it on to the next (generation)”.
Angelo is not just a coach, but also a mentor and a father figure—a man whose life’s work is shaped by the love he has for the sport of tenpin bowling and his athletes. — DayakDaily
