THREE bowlers made it to the national bowling squad after the second phase of the trials last Friday at the Utama Bowling Centre.

Initially held on Feb 17, the trials had to be postponed after the lanes were found to be less than satisfactory.

Thus the Negara Brunei Darussalam Ten-Pin Bowling Congress (NBDTPC) continued the trials on Friday and were finally able to make their pick.

The bowlers that have found themselves among the chosen ones to make it into the national squad are Md Syawal Hj Mustafa, Pg Yasfadillah Pg Hj Md Yassin and Pg Hassanal Pg Hj Mokhtar Putih.

Md Syawal Hj Mustafa was one of the favourites in the second phase as he is no stranger to the bowling scene.

The previous national record holder for most pinfalls, Md Syawal shot a 290 during the Commonwealth Championships in Scotland in 2002.

On Nov 18 however Ahmad Athery Hj Abd Samad broke the record, shooting a 297 during the 45th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Melaka.

The two are set to be teammates as Ahmad Athery is also one of the bowlers that has made it into the national squad, chosen during the first phase of the trials in late January.

So the other seven players that will be joining the quartet in the national squad are Abu Bakar Hj Mina, Md Haidir Fadzillah Hj Ismandi, Pg Eshamuddin Pg Hj Mohidin, Md Yakob Abu Bakar and the trio of brothers, Ak Aizat, Ak Izzul Raihan and Ak Khariul Rijal Pg Abu Samah.

Originally eight players were slated for the national squad. However after further discussions NBDTPC decided to hold another trial as selecting a squad for a whole year based on just 16 games over two days, Jan 23 and 24 would not be the wisest of moves.

The second trials were conducted for bowlers who failed to join the first trials due to other commitments and injuries, or they just did not perform because they had a bad day at the lanes.

Secretary-general of NBDTPC, Ismail Hj Mohiddin, said not all 11 players will be competing in future tournaments.

"There are other factors that have to be considered before these players are chosen to compete. First they have to show qualities like discipline, commitment and fitness for example.

"Before they are sent to represent Brunei, the players will be assessed and if the results are positive then we will move on from there," said Ismail.

The secretary general's comment echoes the words said in a separate interview.

"Just because they are in the squad doesn't mean they will be in all national teams," warned Ismail.

"If we have a top-class tournament we will send our top bowlers, and if we have regional tournaments we will send the others," he added.

It is not clear yet whether any of the players will be sent to the Canon 33rd Malaysian International Open slated March 12-21 in Kuala Lumpur.

The decision will be made by the Department of Youth and Sports, provided the bowlers meet the criteria set by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The Brunei Times