Lawn bowler Fairul Izwan wants to repeat glory of 14 years ago

MANILA, Nov 28 -- It was in the Philippines 14 years ago where senior national lawn bowler Fairul Izwan Abd Muin first tasted SEA Games glory, and he is determined to repeat his performance at the 30th SEA Games here. 

He clinched his first gold at the 2005 edition in the Philippines before going on to win two more, at the Korat 2007 Games in Thailand and in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.

But the 37-year-old said the mission to hunt for his fourth gold had become more challenging following the hosts’ decision to change the venue less than 14 days before the games begin.

Still, he said this should not be an excuse as athletes should always be prepared to face any possibilities.

"It doesn't matter to us because the surface conditions at other tournaments we have participated in such as in China, Thailand and several other countries are almost the same as in the Philippines,” he said.

Head coach Zuraidi Puteh is optimistic that his charges could perform well despite having to play on natural grass.

"I've obtained some information from friends here who've given us feedback on the pitch. That's why we had a training session on the football field at Bukit Jalil Sports City.

"It may sound crazy but that's the fact. We had to find alternatives and had practised on the field where the speed of the ball was slower than the artificial turf," he said.

Lawn bowls was originally scheduled to take place at Clark's Global City but the hosts announced at the eleventh hour that the events would be held at Friendship Gate in Clark on natural grass.

-- BERNAMA