Precision sports
Precision sports emphasize mental ability and accuracy. Malaysians have achieved a great deal of success in the international arena, reaching world-class status in lawn bowls and tenpin bowling and distinguishing themselves at the Asian level in archery, shooting and snooker and billiards
Golf has been played in Malaysia since the late 19th century, starting with a handful of exclusive, private clubs. In the late 1960s, a burgeoning class of local professionals created a huge new market for the game, and over the following two decades, over 200 golf courses were developed all over the country.
Lawn bowls has forged a tradition of excellence. The game has been played in private clubs in the country since the late 19th century, but it was not until the Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) was formed in 1997 that the development of the sport accelerated. At the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, the hosts captured two silver medals. Since then, Malaysia has consistently achieved success in international events. As at November 2007, four Malaysian lawn bowlers were ranked in the top 20 by the World Bowls Board.
Although cue sports were introduced by the British, it was only with the formation of the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) in 1986 that Malaysia began participating in international tournaments. In 1990, Sam Chong became the first Malaysian to win the Asian Snooker Championships, paving the way for other local players to shine in Asian-level competitions.
Malaysia's first bowling alley opened in Penang in 1961 as a business venture. Bowling has since built up a strong local following, and bowling centres are common in cities and large towns throughout the country. Under the stellar administration of the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC), formed in 1974, international achievements have been substantial. Gold medals in the five-man team event at the 1978 Asian Games and the three-man team event at 1979 FIQ World Championships established Malaysia firmly on the world stage. Youth development programmes, created by the National Sports Council in the 1980s, have paid dividends, producing world championship calibre bowlers.
The National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM), formed in 1975, has steadily developed the sport. Malaysia has had strong showings at the SEA Games and is ranked as the top country in Southeast Asia.
Shooting was established as a sport in the country on an organized basis in 1949 with the formation of the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM). In the last twenty years, Malaysians have shot their way to glory in international competitions such as the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Pétanque was brought to Malaysia by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 1987 as a sport for the masses. Woodball, invented in Taiwan in 1990, was introduced to Malaysia in 1995. The relative ease with which both sports can be picked up has led them to develop a strong local following.
