SITI ZALINA, FIRST MALAYSIAN INDUCTED INTO WORLD BOWLS HALL OF FAME

PETALING JAYA, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Former national lawn bowler Siti Zalina Ahmad is the first ever Malaysian and Asian to be inducted into the World Bowls Hall of Fame after being listed this year.

She said she was deeply honoured that her contributions to the sport for over two decades prior to retiring in 2023 was acknowledged by World Bowls, the international governing body.

“I found out when many people sent congratulatory messages when World Bowls made the announcement on social media (last month).

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“I was dissatisfied so I checked the website. I read in stunned silience as it was only announced on their social media before they informed me. It was several days later that I finally received a confirmation email from them,” she told reporters at the World Bowls Hall of Fame gala dinner here tonight.

The Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is the royal patron of Bowls Malaysia, presented her with her award, in the presence of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Siti Zalina’s achievements include two consecutive Commonweath Games gold medals in 2002 and 2006 and a 2008 World Championship bronze medal.

The 46-year-old police officer remains active playing for the Royal Malaysia Police, and training several teams and being involved in non-governmental organisations helping the needy.

Besides Siti Zalina, World Bowls also inducted over 20 lawn bowl legends across the world, including Ryan Bester (Canada), Darren Burnett (Scotland), Lynsey Clarke (Australia), Jo Edwards (New Zealand) and Robert Weale (Wales).

-- BERNAMA