IZZAT SHAMEER NOT YET ASSURED OF PLACE IN GLASGOW 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- National lawn bowler Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple does not consider his success at the 2026 7-Nation Invitational Lawn Bowls Championship an automatic ticket in the squad for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The winner of several gold medals at the Asian Lawn Bowls Championship and the SEA Games said the selection process is still ongoing and he refuses to get too comfortable despite showing consistent performance in the invitational tournament at home last month.

"I never feel comfortable, I will try to give my best performance until my name is really confirmed (listed). Right now it is still in the selection process, so it is important for me to maintain my performance," said the 34-year-old former world number one when met recently.

At the 2026 7-Nation Invitational Lawn Bowls Championship in Bukit Kiara, here, Izzat Shameer completed Malaysia's success in sweeping all four events after defeating Shannon McIlroy of New Zealand Silver 2-1 in the men's singles final.

Meanwhile, the 2025 World Cup men's singles bronze medallist described the mobile lawn bowl pitch in Bukit Kiara, which began to be used a few months ago, as a catalyst for improving the performance of the country's players.

He said the new facilities are on par with those in Australia and the United Kingdom, giving him an advantage in making a more thorough preparations ahead of Glasgow 2026.

"Actually, I am very happy because this pitch is among the best in Asia and we now have a pitch on par with Australia and the UK. So I have the opportunity to train better and give my best for this Commonwealth Games," said Izzat Shameer who will be making his second appearance after the Birmingham 2022 edition.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, competing in 10 sports including para sports such as swimming, lawn bowl, athletics, weightlifting, track cycling, powerlifting and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.

In Glasgow, lawn bowl offers four gold medals through the men's and women's singles events and men's and women's pairs.

The last time Malaysia won a gold medal in lawn bowls at the Games was in the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia through the partnership of Siti Zalina Ahmad and Emma Firyana Saroji in the women's pairs event.

-- BERNAMA