KUCHING: The Sarawak Lawn Bowls Association (Salba) wants the right green installed for the new lawn bowls stadium, which is currently under construction at the Sarawak Stadium Complex, to be of the latest technology and recognised by the world lawn bowls body.
In referring to the “Greengauge” turf, Salba president Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamed said yesterday it was important to use the right material for the green at the stadium.
He said the Tiger Turf artificial turf proposed by the contractor can no longer be used as it does not meet with current requirements and rules of the world lawn bowls federation.
“What is the use of having a nice roofed lawn bowls stadium which has an outdated turf?” he told reporters in a press conference at the State Indoor Stadium yesterday.
Also present were Ministry of Social Development assistant secretary Charlie Keling, Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) deputy director of infrastructure Mohamed Khaidir Abang and Nurina Matnor from Nurina Matnor Architect.
“Salba will be criticised if it goes ahead with the use of the outdated turf.
Furthermore, we will be hosting the lawn bowls competition in Sukma XVIII next year,” Mahyan added. Lawn bowls is one of the events that will be competed in the coming Sukma from July 22-31 in 2016.
According to Mahyan, most of the lawn bowls greens in Malaysia are now using the Greengauge turf, in line with the world standard.
His sentiments were shared and supported by Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) vice president cum competitions and technical chairman Dato Mohd Shukrie Ali and Capt Ahmad Shah who were here as facilitators of a MLBF Lawn Bowls Judging course.
According to Ahmad, it would be more beneficial to Sarawak if they use Greengauge turf instead of Tiger Turf. “The new turf is better and much faster when compared to the old one and it will also give the advantage to the players during the competition.
Apart from that, the turf is more durable and low maintenance costs is needed.”
Meanwhile, MLBF will be sending a proposal letter to the Ministry of Social Development regarding the new turf that they have proposed. The new lawn bowls stadium in Sarawak is being built by DBKU.