Commitment name of the game for Shalin<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
At the age of nine, Shalin Zulkifli sat down with her parents
\nand quietly discussed her sporting future.<\/p>\n
Although she was active in netball, handball and table tennis,
\nthey decided that she would have one main aim: to become the
\nworld champion in bowling.<\/p>\n
\"Bowling was my choice at the suggestion of my parents because
\nthe chance to reach the top in Asia and in the world was wide
\nopen,\" said Shalin, who was interviewed during the ABF Tournament
\nof Champions here.<\/p>\n
Four years later, her youthful commitment and determination
\nwon her a place on the Malaysian senior team.<\/p>\n
Now, at age 27, she has reached the top of Asia and the world.<\/p>\n
Shalin credits that early decision, the support of her father,
\nZulkifli Mohd. Ali, and mother, Rohani Razak, both bowlers
\nthemselves, as well as the backing of the Malaysian government
\nfor her success today.<\/p>\n
Being part of the national training center allowed Shalin to
\nfocus on developing her skills and physical training, as well as
\ncompeting in international tournaments.<\/p>\n
\"In Malaysia, the government fully supports the national team
\nsquad with a systematic program and other things, which may not
\nexist in other countries.\"<\/p>\n
Born in London when her father was studying there, she came to
\nprominence at 15, winning two golds in trios and team categories
\nat the 1993 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games.<\/p>\n
A year later, Shalin contributed two golds to her country's
\nmedal tally at the Asian Games in Hiroshima in the trios and all-
\nevents categories.<\/p>\n
\"I was 16 at that time and had already won a gold in the Asian
\nGames, so it was one of my unforgettable moments.\"<\/p>\n
More success was ahead at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South
\nKorea, when she took the prestigious Master's category.<\/p>\n
\"The Asian Games is the highest multievent for bowlers in
\nAsia. I have no chance to play in the Olympic Games as bowling is
\nnot included, so you can imagine my feeling when I won gold in
\nthe Asian Games.\"<\/p>\n
In 2003, she won gold in the World Championship in the team
\ncategory. Except for 2003, when she ranked third, she has been
\nthe number one player in Asia since 2000, and was named
\nInternational Bowler of the Year in 2002.<\/p>\n
Despite her achievements, she still has goals to fulfill. She
\nwants to triumph in the World Championship and the World Tenpin
\nMasters in the individual category and the Southeast Asian Games
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
\"I have won gold in the team category in the World
\nChampionship and the World Tenpin Masters, but I have yet to win
\nin individual category.\"<\/p>\n
If Shalin, who says her idols are Michael Jordan and Oprah
\nWinfrey, meets her target, her career record will be difficult to
\nreplicate by her peers.<\/p>\n
Indonesian bowlers Putty Armein and Ryan Lalisang say Shalin's
\nexample as one to follow.<\/p>\n
\"She is a true bowler ... talented and shaped by regular
\npractice and physical training,\" Ryan said.<\/p>\n
\"She is also lucky to live in Malaysia, as the Malaysian
\ngovernment supports the national bowlers to participate in
\ninternational tournaments.\"<\/p>\n
Putty, who got to know Shalin as a youngster when her family
\nresided in Kuala Lumpur, knows she can learn a lot from her
\nfriend.<\/p>\n
\"When I was living in Kuala Lumpur, I knew how hard Shalin
\ntrained from being a junior bowler until she became one of the
\nbest bowlers in the world,\" Putty said.<\/p>\n
\"I always talk to her to improve my skill in bowling.\"<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/commitment-name-of-the-game-for-shalin-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }