Sarawak para tenpin bowling team ramps up preparations for Para Sukma 2026
by Ting Tieng Hee · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Jan 10): Sarawak’s para tenpin bowling team have stepped up their preparations as they look to mount another strong challenge at the Para Sukma in Selangor this September.
Head coach Myron Khoo Hock Ming said the groundwork for the campaign was laid immediately after the 2024 Para Sukma, reflecting Sarawak’s long-term planning and commitment to maintaining their standing as the leading force in the sport.
“Training has been ongoing since after the last Para Sukma. At the moment, we train three times a week, but the intensity and frequency will gradually increase as we move closer to the Games,” he told The Borneo Post.
Khoo explained that over the next three months, the squad will undergo about 12 training sessions per month, before increasing to 16 sessions in the subsequent phase.
As competition draws nearer, the bowlers will be placed under centralised training, involving up to five consecutive days of intensive sessions, balanced with scheduled rest periods to ensure proper recovery.
He revealed that from an initial training pool of about 60 bowlers, the number has been reduced to 38.
Further selection, however, will depend on the completion of functional classification, particularly for visually impaired bowlers competing in the TPB 1, 2 and 3 categories.
“We are still waiting for the classification process to be completed in Kuching, as it involves national-level doctors, especially for visually impaired athletes. Once this is finalised, we can confirm the final squad,” he said.
Khoo noted that Sarawak currently has representation across all seven categories contested at Para Sukma, although some classes, especially among female athletes, have smaller numbers.
Despite this, he remains confident the team can continue to produce consistent performances.
Sarawak have dominated para tenpin bowling at Para Sukma since 2016, having won the overall title at every edition they have competed in.
While Khoo declined to set specific medal targets, he acknowledged that maintaining their seven-gold medal haul from the last edition remains a key objective, with expectations that new faces can provide additional impetus alongside experienced campaigners.
On the competition front, Khoo identified Selangor as Sarawak’s main rivals, citing the host state’s depth across all categories.
“Selangor has full teams similar to us, and with many national-level athletes in their ranks, the challenge will definitely be tougher this time,” he remarked.
To further strengthen the squad, Sarawak are also planning overseas exposure programmes for both athletes and coaches, with South Korea and Singapore among the destinations under consideration, given their strong bowling development systems.
“With proper preparation and exposure, we believe the team can once again put up a strong challenge,” Khoo added.
He will be fielding four teams (of four bowlers) in the Sarawak Hornbill Team Cup at Megalanes Sarawak from Jan 26 to 31.