HOST MALAYSIA IS A GOLD MEDAL PROSPECT

MALAYSIA aims to deliver a gold medal at the inaugural 'World Cup 2025' in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Bowls Malaysia president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said the gold could come from any one of the 7 events.

"I do not wish to name from who (event) but we have potential to win one gold," he said during the  Press Conference for the 'WC2025' in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

He said the 'WC2025' promises a star-studded cast from - Australia, Scotland, England, Canada, Wales and New Zealand.

Featuring World No.1's - Scotland's Jason Banks (men) and Australia's Dawn Hayman (women).

The other top drawcards in the men's event are World No.3 Corey Wedlock of Australia and Scotland's Paul Foster, a five-time World Open singles champion and 4-time Commonwealth Games winner.

The women's challenge will include former World No. 1 Kelsey Cottrel of Australia, who won the singles gold at the 2024 Australian Indoor Championships.

And World No.3 Selina Goddard of New Zealand, who won the women's pairs (with Chloe Stewart) at the Australian Open this year.

Datuk Awalan stressed that Malaysia are no pushovers and have an equal chance to match the world's best to finish on the podium.

"The game is not not about skills alone but psyhological play aswell," said Datuk Awalan.

Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple, Muhammad Soufi Rusli (men), Emma Firyana Saroji and Nurul Alyani Jamil (women) will carry Malaysia's challenge.

Izzat, a former World No.1 was on the podium with a couple of silvers in the World series, including at the World Bowls Indoors Championships at Guernsey last year.

Izzat and Soufi picked the bronze at the 2023 World Bowls in Gold Coast.

Emma won bronze in this year's World Bowls Indoor Championships in Aberdeen.

Emma and Nurul Alyani also returned home with a silver medal in the pairs event at the 2025 Australian Open.

Emma is a former gold medallist at the 2015 World Champion of Champions while Nurul took the bronze at the 2023 World singles Champion of Champions.

All eyes will be at the Bukit Kiara National Lawn Bowls Centre here from Nov 4-8.

12 Nations - One Aim, One Dream, One Goal - to lay their hands on the coveted 'World Cup 2025'.

The Indoor Championships, a Platinum event in the World Bowls Series calendar, will present the top 12 ranked nations in the World.

Canada, Ireland, USA, South Africa, India and Hong Kong China are also sending their top players.

The 'WC2025' is played on the new 'portable rinks', which is likely to be used at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games next year.

"This a great opportunity for our players to shine at home."

"The same 'portable rinks' will be used in Glasgow and augurs well for our preparations."

A total of 7 events will be competed in 3 categories - men, women and para athletes.

They will compete in 2 disciplines - singles and pairs.

The nation with the overall highest  accumulated points will lift the World Cup.⬛