Bocce’s popularity growing in Malaysia
KOTA BHARU, Feb 10 — The name ‘bocce’ may not be familiar to many people in Malaysia, but the game has gained popularity in many Asian countries and its fan base here is also fast growing.
In fact, a team of Malaysian players – Ameer Haiqal Mohd Faisal,17, Nor Alia Sufiah Mohd Shaufi,17 , Adam Danial Sukri, 17 and Nik Nur Solehah Sakrani,17 – created history when all four won gold medals at the Asia Oceania Junior Championship 2019 in Putrajaya last September.
According to president of the Malaysian Sport Boules Bocce Federation, Razali Wan Zain, bocce which is also known as bocci or boccie, is a ball sport in the ‘boul’ family, and close to the game of petanque.
Developed in Italy, bocce is played around Europe and elsewhere where Italians have migrated, including Australia, North America and South America.
Razali said it can easily become a popular sport in Malaysia, especially among youths and students.
“It also has educational elements because it requires the player to make quick decisions, while at the same time, teaching him patience.
“The sport also does not involve any body contact, is suitable for people of all ages, and is not dangerous,” he told Bernama when met here yesterday after conducting a training session on Bocce to 20 teachers.
Razali added that as part of the effort to promote Bocce in Malaysia, the federation was constantly looking for fresh talents and entering current players in state and national competitions.
This includes the 2023 South East Asian Games and 2024 Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) in Kelantan.
Next October, the Malaysian team will compete in the World Junior Championship in Rome, Italy, in five categories.
To date, Razali said, there are already eight states with Bocce associations, and a total membership of almost 100, aged between eight and 63 years.
— BERNAMA
