Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) have praised Tun Ameerul Luqman Al-Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam for paying his own way to compete in the United States and making history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a title at the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour in Reno, Nevada yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MTBC secretary-general Maradona Chok stated that, for the past two years, they have not provided any sponsorship to national bowlers to compete in the PBA and Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) due to several factors that had been mutually agreed upon. He explained that the PBA and PWBA are professional tours, and sending a team of around 20 players would be costly. Therefore, the agreement with the National Sports Council (NSC) limits them to competing as a team in Asia.

Chok further elaborated that the programme with the NSC is solely in Asia, and for events outside of Asia, the MTBC permits players to compete on their own. He mentioned this arrangement when speaking to reporters at the Sunway Megalanes.

Meanwhile, MTBC president Datuk Mohd Najeeb Abdullah expressed intentions to review the sponsorship provided by the Youth and Sports Ministry through the NSC to support bowlers in future tournaments. He emphasized that the PBA and PWBA tournaments are crucial platforms for national bowlers to face tough competition and gain exposure, as they attract many of the world’s top players.

Mohd Najeeb suggested that future participation might depend on securing additional sponsors, rather than solely relying on the NSC. He highlighted the financial challenges faced by bowlers like Tun Ameerul, who, along with his teammates, contributed over RM30,000 each for their month-long stay in the United States.

Tun Ameerul, 25, earned the title of PBA Chameleon champion after defeating American Kevin McCune 269-227 in the stepladder final at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada.