NATIONAL bowlers Rafiq Ismail and Nur Shazwani Sahar are lighting up at the chance to compete in the All-Stars Championships on Dec 11-20 at Sunway Mega Lanes.
Traditionally, the All-Stars meet had attracted many top foreign bowlers, but this time, it will be a local affair as athletes from many countries are still barred from travelling due to Covid-19.
Despite the situation, the organisers, Sunway Mega Lanes, are still happy to have the support from the states, as they expect close to 350 participants for both the Under-22 Junior All-Stars and the Gen Z Challenge for bowlers aged 25 and below.
As for Rafiq and Syazwani, having one more tournament to look forward to this year is exciting,
"I am glad because the Asian Championships next year have already been postponed. My only tournament this year was the World Championships in Dubai.
"Although the All-Stars Championships will be held on a smaller scale this time, the challenge remains the same for me.
"My biggest competitors in the Gen Z Challenge will be my national teammates. I believe it is going to be exciting, and I look forward to playing one more tournament before calling it a year," said Rafiq.
Syazwani, a member of the Malaysian women's team that won silver in the World Championships in Dubai, is also looking forward to the year-end event which offers a total prize money of more than RM100,000.
"I am high on confidence after winning silver at the World Championships last month," said Shazwani, who wishes to complete her podium finish collection in the All-Stars Championships by excelling in the Gen Z Challenge.