DEAFLYMPICS 2025: NEW FORMAT TO TEST NATIONAL DEAF BOWLING SQUAD'S ABILITIES IN TOKYO

PETALING JAYA, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The new format  for the deaf bowling team event due to be introduced at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics is expected to test the national bowling squad, team coach Tay Teck Kheng said.

He added that the new rules demanded uniform performances and high accuracy from all team members without giving room for any mistakes, which would affect the entire team.

“We use the World Format. If it’s the old format, we might have a better chance because singles play six games, doubles each person plays six games, and a team one person plays six games. So if our team is quite balanced, it’s easy to win.

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“The new format, one game, one player only two bowls. Yes, that is why it is very tough. That’s why I made them practise so much so they can play spare throws. Most importantly, if you can’t get a strike, a spare will do, we still can cover,” he told reporters after the chef de mission’s visit to the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics deaf bowling athletes’ training venue here today.

Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) had earlier maintained the three-gold medal target set for the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, two in badminton and one from bowling.

Teck Kheng also shared that the national bowling team would contest all seven events at the Games, with primary focus on the men’s team event.

“My target does include the gold if we can win, most probably in the men’s team event,” he said, adding that he expects South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be the main contenders due to their extensive experience at the international level.

“Team UAE and South Korea are really strong. I’ve met the South Koreans at the Asia Pacific Games, they have two really strong players.

“UAE players usually play with normal people, not only deaf players. They enter tournaments like the Malaysian Open and Sarawak Open to gain experience,” he added.

-- BERNAMA