Francis Yeo is bowling’s acting national head coach

SINGAPORE — Veteran coach Francis Yeo has been appointed Acting National Head Coach of the Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF).

The SBF announced Yeo’s appointment at its annual awards dinner at Royal China tonight (Feb 12). The 54-year-old will take over from former head coach Remy Ong, who resigned from the post last November to return to professional bowling and focus on his new business venture.

This is not Yeo’s first coaching stint with the SBF. He first worked with the then Singapore Tenpin Bowling Congress from 1996 to 2001, before rejoining the SBF in 2005. Since 2014, the national deputy head coach has been in charge of bowler development at the SBF.

“SingaporeBowling is proud of our dual development programme: grooming athletes as well as coaches,” said SBF president Jessie Phua. “So far we have been very blessed to be able to do well on both fronts. I’m happy and proud that Francis has agreed to take on this heavy responsibility of leading our team. It’s an awesome team that he will lead, expectations are high and I’m confident that Francis will bring our team to new heights.”

Yeo is expected to eventually take on the head coach role permanently, and he is relishing the challenge ahead.

“In terms of development and competition, I have a good feel of both,” he said. “Taking on two roles is a little bit tough to juggle, but it shouldn’t be that different.

“The women’s team will need a succession plan, no matter how good they are. For the men’s team, it is important to keep their momentum from 2015 going, to keep the ball rolling and for them to get bigger and stronger.”

National bowler Shayna Ng gave Yeo her vote of confidence. “He’s been with me since my time as a youth bowler and he understands me inside out,” she said. “Most of my wins are dedicated to what he’s done. It’s a good move, and a good direction for the team.”

The SBF’s annual awards dinner also saw Ng bagging two awards: the Outstanding Achievement Award for her win at the World Women’s Bowling Championships last year, and the Bowler of the Year.

World Bowling Open 2015 winner Joey Yeo was named Youth Bowler of the Year, while four athletes - Justin Lim, Alexander Tan, Ilma Nur Jannah and Kristin Quah - were recognised for their five-year stint with the national squad.

With no major Games lined up for the year, Ng will compete in this month’s Emir Cup in Qatar, as well as tour competitions in the United States. “It’s been a great 2015 for us, and for the whole of Singapore Bowling,” said Ng.

“We also have a new bowling alley and that’s most important to growing together as a sport. This year is more of a lull year for us but I’m sure there will still be many challenges and our opponents will still be hard to beat.”

Joey, 17, is looking forward to the 2016 season after a rollercoaster year that saw her missing out on selection for the SEA Games. While she bounced back by winning the Bowling World Open in Japan in July, she dislocated her shoulder at the US Open a month later. She recovered in time to be selected for the Women’s World Championships team.

“I had a great 2015 going to a lot of competitions and that motivated me to work harder...it’s going to quite a busy year ahead for me,” she said.