Zulkifli leads contingent of Malaysian bowlers in USBC Queens By Dave Demarest

World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame member Shalin Zulkifli, left, and her teammates on the Malaysian national team came to the 2007 USBC Queens to compete against the best the world has to offer.

Already one of the top teams in Asia, team members Wendy Chai, Siti Safiyah, Esther Cheah, Sharon Koh, Choy Poh Lai, Zandra Aziela and Zulkifli wanted to compete individually in the United States to see how they stacked up against the rest of the world.

"The Queens is very important to us," Zulkifli said. "We can gauge where we're at, what we have to work on, and what we're good at. We get experience against the top professionals and top amateurs in America."

Ban Cheng Cheah, director of Malaysia's national team, said the Malaysian government wanted the team to compete against the best bowlers in America in the Queens and represent the country.

"We have established ourselves as a powerhouse," Cheah said. "Our success in Asia has given us a chance to compete in the United States."

Zulkifli, competing in the U.S. for the fifth time, said she takes great pride wearing her orange Malaysian jersey when she competes in foreign countries.

"We're kind of likes ambassadors for our country," she said.

Cheah said Zulkifli, who recently opened her own bowling center in her country, is one of Malaysia's most famous athletes.

"She's the bowling icon in Malaysia," the coach said. "Everybody looks up to her."

Zulkifli has won numerous international medals including leading Malaysia to the 2003 WTBA World Championships team gold medal. She was also named the World Bowling Writers Bowler of the Year in 2002.

Zulkifli said her goal is to become the best bowler in the world, a distinction many would say she already has. Zulkifli, though, disagrees.

"There's still a lot of work to do," she said. "Bowling is huge in our country. It's one of the top sports in the country. I've just been very fortunate to do what I love."

The USBC Queens, which features an overall prize fund of $200,000 with $30,000 going to the champion, is presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev., and is sponsored by Kegel, the official lane maintenance provider for USBC.