KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 – Malaysia’s bowling, queen Shalin Zulkifli has quit the sport she loves most at the age of 42, after an astonishing 28-year career in the bowling alleys that kept the Malaysian flag flying.
Without a doubt, her retirement closes a chapter in the history of bowling. She also leaves a vacuum in the Malaysian bowling team that will be hard to fill.
Her retirement caught many by surprise but Shalin had given broad hints of her impending retirement.
The five-time Malaysian Sportswoman of the Year -1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002 – also won the three World Championships and this was in Malaysia (2003), Mexico (2007) and again after a ten-year lapse in Las Vegas, United States in 2017.
The mother of one who is married to former national bowler, Azidi Ameran had a glorious bowling career to keep Malaysia’s flag flying. There were ups and downs but Shalin stood strong to make her blood, sweat, and tears count when it mattered most.
She stood with pride on the rostrum – let it be at World FIQ, Asian FIQ, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championships, Asian Games, SEA Games, World Rankings, World Tenpin Masters, World Cup, World Team Cup, World Bowling Tour.
Shalin will remain etched in the minds of all those who knew what she could deliver when called upon to rally for Malaysia. This she did countless times in her illustrious runs at the bowling alleys. She was always there as “Mama” as her teammates remember her for her motivation.
Always a “darling” to all who came to know Shalin she was also an inspiration when it mattered most and when the chips were down.
Shalin will be missed and one who will be hard to replace.
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