NTU’s Bowling Team is on a Roll

By Leila Lai

The NTU bowling team can now add “SUniG 2014 Bowling Women’s Team Champion” to their list of accomplishments this year. This is in addition to their Overall Schools win at August’s Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sports Fiesta in Malaysia, and the eight titles that the women’s team took home from the Asian University Bowling Championships in May.

Teamwork is the key to the team’s consistently good performance at competitions, and it makes them “one of the strongest teams,” says president of NTU Bowling, Calista Tan.

In light of the team’s recent success, Sports Writer Leila Lai sat down to find out more about five bowlers who are part of the winning team.

AIMING FOR A CLEAN SHOT: Azri wipes down her ball in preparation for her next frame.

Calista Tan, 21, Sports Science and Management, Third-Year, President

The NTU bowling team had impressed Calista with their friendliness from her first day as a team member. Now the team’s president, she shares how overcoming their differences has built up their strong team spirit, enabling them to do well at competitions year after year.

“Even though we have cliques, we still work well as a unit,” she said.

As NTU bowling has one coach for about 5 teams, it is hard for the coach to give his undivided attention to each bowler.

”Thus, we’ve learned to be more independent,” she added.

She cites an example on how the team members will correct each other’s mistakes during training, so that they can improve even when the coach is busy with another teammate.

Although she sometimes jokes with teammate Oriana Tay about quitting bowling, she will not be leaving her friends in the team or giving up the sport she loves any time soon.

“Competitive bowling is stressful, but I love bowling because every game and competition is different.

“You don’t have one winner all the time, so if you put in the effort to train hard, everybody has a chance to win,” said Calista.

Yeong Jun Hao, 26, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Final-Year, Vice President

“Motivating each other is very important,” saidYeong Jun Hao.

The team motivates Jun Hao to continue bowling whenever he feels like giving up, and he cites the team’s support as a key factor in helping him deal with a recurring injury.

“They will say, ‘It’s just a minor problem, try this minor adjustment,’ and ask me not to give up,” he added.

Of his three years with the bowling team, this year is shaping up to be the one he will treasure most, as he is serving as part of the committee for the first time.

“Being in the team is one thing, and being in the committee is another.

“In the committee, I can help to move the team forward and help shape the team,” he said.

Jason Tan, 24, Nanyang Business School, Final-Year, Men’s Captain

Jason Tan likes to play numerous sports, but bowling holds a special appeal for him.

“I have stuck to bowling the longest because it’s one of the most challenging sports when it comes to the mental aspect of the game.

“It’s very challenging to be consistent, hitting the right shots and playing according to the different lane conditions,” he said.

He relishes the challenge and constantly strives to better his game.

“I put in the effort to train because I really want to improve and stay consistent,” said Jason.

He added that passion to win for the school keeps him motivated.

“I hope that we can achieve some good results and bring some results back for the school,” he said.

Oriana Tay, 21, School of Biological Sciences, Third-Year, Female Captain

The quality that Oriana Tay admires in her favourite professional bowler is the same one that her teammates see in her— the ability to focus when competing. As teammate Calista observed, Oriana can shut out distractions even to the point of avoiding conversation with her teammates.

“If she doesn’t talk to anyone, then she’s bowling well,” said Calista.

Former national bowler Remy Ong is Oriana’s role model for his composure and consistent performance–– two key factors in a winning bowler.

Oriana explains: “That [focus] is crucial, because on the lane, you cannot think too much or get too over-technical with your shots –– you just need to visualize and go with the flow.”

“When he was in his reign, he was the only one who could peak [put on his best performance at competitions] consistently, which not all bowlers can do.

“It’s very difficult to be on form at every competition, and I admire him because he could do that,” she added.

Nur Azri Muhamad Azan, 21, Materials Science and Engineering, Third-Year, Team Member

The air-conditioned environment of the bowling alleys was the first aspect of bowling that attracted ten-year-old Azri, but the concept of the game soon captured her interest as well.

“I was in golf and swimming when I first joined the bowling co-curricular activity (CCA) in primary school, but I liked bowling so much that I dropped my other CCAs to focus on it.

“I like the challenge of bowling, and my passion [for the sport] has only increased over the years,” she said.

Over the years, bowling has taught her life skills along with the game, from time management during her junior college days to strengthening her emotional resilience.

“I was injured before, so I know how frustrating it is to be unable to compete or train at all,” she said.

But going through difficult experiences has made her a stronger person.

“That’s how [bowling] has shaped the person I am,” she said.

HAPPY FAMILY: The team poses for a group photo after the SUniG 2014 bowling events. Jason Tan, second row second from right; Nur Azri Muhamad Azan, front row third from right; Yeong Jun Hao, front row in red jacket; Oriana Tay, second from left.