By Tony Mariadass
KUALA LUMPUR: Sidney Tung, one of the architects of Malaysia’s bowling success, passed away yesterday (June 3) at a nursing home in Petaling Jaya at the age of 74.
Sidney played a key role with current Tenpin Bowling
Congress (MTBC) president, Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan, in making Malaysia a world bowling power.
An architectural designer and draftsman by profession, Sidney founded the Kuala Lumpur Tenpin Bowling Association in 1976.
Sidney, who was MTBC secretary-general from 1980 to 2013, was also Malaysia’s 1998 Commonwealth Games sport manager and chief executive officer for the 2003 World Championships.
Sidney was also secretary of the World Tenpin Bowling Association Asia Zone (now known as Asian Bowling Federation) from 1994-1996 and he was part of several World Tenpin Bowling Association committee from 1999-2003.
A tireless worker, Sidney was known for enthusiastically calling reporters from wherever he was, to give them the latest results, and urging the media to promote bowling with more write-ups.
Sidney was a great PR man for MTBC. He tirelessly promoted the heroics and feats of the national bowlers, even urging the media to write about those who “finished fourth or fifth”, as he would always say they missed a medal by only a few pins.
Widely seen as a fatherly figure to Malaysian bowlers, many of them owe it to Sidney for their rise in the sport.
MTBC secretary general Maradona Chok said: “Sidney’s contribution to bowling is phenomenal as you can see the hardwork he put in together with Datuk Nathan for the foundation of MTBC’s successes over the years.”
The wake will be held at Hall 18, first floor, Nirvana Memorial Centre, Sungai Besi today and tomorrow (June 4-5, 3pm-10pm). Burial will be on June 6 at 12pm. For details, call 0172888941 or 0126680176 or 0175126166