KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian sports fraternity today (Sept 23) mourned the loss of one of its most respected figures, former Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) president Datuk Dr P.S. Nathan.
Dr Nathan passed away yesterday at the age of 90. Nathan formed MTBC in 1974 and led the national body for roughly five decades.
He was also the president of the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) for three terms.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said it was a huge loss for Malaysian sports.
"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Datuk Dr Nathan. Dr Nathan was a towering figure among the sports community having founded, then helmed the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress for 50 years," said Yeoh today.
"I am grateful that the National Sports Council (NSC) awarded the Sport Icon/Personality Award 2023 to Dr Nathan earlier this year. His contributions will not be forgotten."
NSC deputy director general Jefri Ngadirin echoed Yeoh's sentiments.
"Condolences to the family of our great bowling president. Dr Nathan will be missed and his advice to me will be cherished forever. The bowling fraternity has lost their greatest supporter," said Jefri.
Dr Nathan, a dermatologist by profession, was also a former national player who had won gold at the Asian Games.
Veteran sports journalist Tony Mariadass, who was awarded the Gosta Zellen Golden Quill Award by World Bowling Writers in 2004, said Dr Nathan's playing experience set him apart from other association presidents.
"He knew the game very well because he was a former player, you could not fool him," said Tony.
"Bowling, in the early years, was known as a parlour sport which was associated with drinking and gambling.
"He rose through the ranks and became the president of the Asian and then the world body and he transformed the sport, not only in Malaysia but also around the world.
"Today bowling is played by the whole family around the world and in Malaysia it is even part of the National Schools Sports Council (MSSM) programme.
"There was not much support from NSC for bowling in the early years but he did many initiatives to bring in funding and was able to raise hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
"He walked the talk and placed a lot of emphasis on development. He was an exemplary president who brought in top coaches who elevated the game and helped groom top players.
"Shalin Zulkifli won gold at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games at the age of 15 and went on to become a world class bowler."
Tony added that Dr Nathan's driven personality was at times misunderstood.
Dr Nathan stepped down as MTBC president in May during their golden jubilee celebrations, handing over the presidency to his deputy Datuk Mohd Najeeb Abdullah.
"Some people argued that he stayed too long in the game but he achieved a lot of progress," said Tony.
"When he retired in May at the age of 90, he said he was leaving because he could no longer contribute as he was getting slower.
"If you knew him well then you would understand what he wanted. Some people mistook him for being arrogant, too straightforward and strict.
"But whatever he did, it was always for the good of the game."