NATIONAL coach Holloway Cheah is leaving no stone unturned as he looks to prepare his bowlers to compete on unfamiliar territory at the Hanoi Sea Games on May 12-23.
Vietnam are not a bowling nation, and they do not organise high-level tournaments.
And it would be a bit of a mystery for the eight up-and-coming bowlers when they compete for medals at the Royal City-Heroworld Centre in Hanoi.
Holloway does not have much information about the 20-lane venue as Malaysian bowlers have not played in Vietnam for a long time.
The men's squad comprise Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli, Hafiz Zainuddin, Syazirol Shamsudin and Nevern Netaneel Marcellinus Petrus.
Gillian Lim, Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal, Nerosha Keligit and Nur Syazwani Sahar make up the women's team.
To counter the problem, Holloway said he has been simulating various oiling patterns ahead of the competition to ensure his bowlers are not caught off guard.
"I have checked and have found that it (venue) is not a new bowling centre.
"It is an old centre, but they have renovated it," said Holloway in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"The bowling centre is also not very big. We plan to go there five days before the tournament to get used to it.
"The (oiling) patterns will only be released one month before the first bowling event, scheduled on May 15, so we will get them soon.
"For now, I have used my experience to put up various patterns, which I feel may come out."
Holloway believes Singapore and Indonesia will be the main contenders in Hanoi.
"Our main rivals are always Singapore. They will be sending their senior team.
"Indonesia are also sending their best team. They have even recalled one of their PWBA Tour bowlers for the Sea Games,"
There will only be six events on offer in Hanoi compared to nine during the 2019 Philippines Sea Games.
Malaysia Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary general Maradona Chok said: "We have not set a specific target, but we expect our bowlers to return with medals.
"Although we are sending a young team, we believe they are ready to deliver the goods," said Maradona.
In the 2019 Games, Malaysia finished third overall with a 2-3-2 haul.