Texas win ‘proves S’pore bowlers can match world’s best’

SINGAPORE — Jazreel Tan’s victory at the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Lubbock Sports Open is proof that local keglers can consistently compete with the world’s best, said Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) president Jessie Phua.

In Texas on Saturday (yesterday morning, Singapore time), Tan, 25, beat local favourite Stefanie Johnson 257-246 in the stepladder finals to take home the top prize of US$10,000 (S$13,694).

Tan’s triumph comes only a week after compatriot Joey Yeo clinched the women’s singles title at the inaugural Bowling World Open.

It is this sustained level of success at international competitions that fuels Phua’s firm belief that Singapore’s bowling team rank “among the top three in the world”.

“Jazreel’s victory is not unexpected, and it just shows that all their years of putting their heads down and staying focused is finally paying off,” said Phua. “I’m very proud of not only Jazreel, but the entire team (Shayna Ng, Cherie Tan, Daphne Tan and New Hui Fen) who also took part in the competition.

“About three to four years back, nobody gave Singaporean bowlers that much respect. But after a series of wins in internationally recognised tournaments, people are now starting to realise our victories are not flukes and that we are not a flash in the pan.”

Next for Jazreel and the Singapore team is the PWBA pro event in Wichita, Kansas. This is part of the SBF’s plan to expose local bowlers to high-level competition in preparation for the World Women Championships at the end of the year.

Nine bowlers are in contention to make the Singapore team for the World Championships, but only six will be selected.

“It’s for them to show us who are worthy for the nominations. We will send them all over the world for competitions to monitor who is in form and peaking at the right time before confirming the six bowlers.” Noah Tan