Hard Work Paid Off for National Lawn Bowling Duo Ain Nabilah and Aleena

BY: Michelle Liew

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) announced a cash incentive of RM40,000 each for the national women's lawn bowling duo, comprising of Nur Ain Nabilah Tarmizi and Aleena Ahmad Nawawi, who emerged as champions of the World Lawn Bowling Championship in Gold Coast, Australia last Saturday.

Minister Hannah Yeoh said the incentive money was given through the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (SHAKAM) in recognition of the success of the two athletes in making the country famous at the tournament.

"KBS is very happy with the success of both of them. At the level of the National Sports Council (MSN), I want to announce that the SHAKAM that will be given to Nur Ain and Aleena is RM80,000, so each person will earn RM40,000," she said.

Hannah said this in a press conference after welcoming the return of the national lawn bowling squad at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2, here yesterday.

The success of the country's women's pair came after they defeated the Maltese pair, Rebecca Rixon-Connie Leigh Rixo 15-11 in the final action of the women's pairs event, thus ending Malaysia's 15-year wait for a gold medal at the World Championships.

President of the Federation of Lawn Bowls Malaysia (PLBM), Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz described the success of the national lawn bowling squad as proving that the overhaul process to dignify the sport is bearing fruit.

"We rearranged the system where we introduced the ranking system and also introduced the National Championship so based on merit, we send these athletes to the World Championship. Alhamdulillah it shows success," he said.