Ahmad Muaz, one of the most decorated players in Malaysian bowling history, announced earlier this week that November 2026 would be his final month as a Malaysian national team athlete.
33-year-old bowler says his decision to leave Malaysia's national bowling team after 16 years is not a farewell to the sport. Instead, he believes the time has come to spend more time with his family and begin a new chapter in his career.
Speaking with BowlingLife after the announcement, he said the timing felt right despite the difficulty of leaving behind teammates and coaches who had become family.
“I would say the main reason is that I feel this is the right time for me to move on to the next chapter of my career,” Muaz said. “After 16 years representing Malaysia, I feel I have given my best to the sport, and I am proud of everything I have achieved.
“It wasn’t an easy decision because the national team has been a huge part of my life. I’ve grown up with my teammates, coaches and everyone involved in the sport. They have become like family to me.”
During those 16 years, Muaz won medals not only at various Asian championships, but also climbed on the highest podium step on the world stage. His record includes two SEA Games gold medals in 2015, Asian Games silver in 2018, Asian Championships gold in 2019 and World Championships bronze in 2023.
He also helped Malaysia win its first IBF World Cup men’s team title in 2025 and claimed bronze at the 2026 World Cup in Munich last month.
Passion With a New Direction
Muaz made one point clear: stepping down from the national team does not mean that he has lost his desire to remain involved in bowling.
“At this stage, I also want to explore new opportunities, especially in coaching, and use my experience to help develop the next generation of bowlers,” he said.
“I’m not stepping away because I’ve lost my passion for bowling. I’m stepping away because I believe it’s time to give that passion a new direction.”
Coaching Is the Next Goal
Muaz sees coaching as the clearest way to pass on what he has learned. He is particularly interested in working with teams and young bowlers rather than focusing only on individual players.
“Coaching is something I would love to pursue,” Muaz said. “After 16 years competing internationally, I believe I have a lot of experience and knowledge to share.
“Personally, I prefer working with teams, especially developing young bowlers and building a strong team culture. Ultimately, I want to give back to the sport and help the next generation achieve their goals.”
That next role has not yet been decided. However, Muaz confirmed that conversations have already taken place, including interest from outside Malaysia.
“I’ve had some discussions and opportunities, including interest from abroad,” he said. “However, nothing is final at the moment. For now, I’m keeping my options open and looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”
More Time With His Family
The decision will also allow Muaz to give more time to the people who supported him through years of training, travel and international competition.
“Of course, my family also plays an important role in this decision,” he said. “After so many years of travelling, training and competing, I feel it’s time to focus on new responsibilities and give more attention to my family.”
His family has backed the move.
“My family has been very supportive,” Muaz said. “My wife, son and parents understand the sacrifices behind this journey. I’m grateful for their support, and I’m looking forward to spending more quality time with them while embracing a new chapter in my life.”
The news came as a surprise to his teammates too.
“They were definitely surprised, and some were emotional,” he said. “We’ve shared so many years, memories and experiences together. It’s not easy to say goodbye, but I hope my decision inspires them to keep pushing forward and achieving great things for Malaysian bowling.”
The Moment That Stands Above the Rest
When Muaz was asked to choose one moment above all others from his 16 years with the national team, his answer was short: the 2025 IBF World Cup team event.
In January 2025, Muaz, Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan and Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam made history in Hong Kong. Malaysia defeated Puerto Rico 3-2 in the best-of-five final, winning the country’s first men’s team gold at the IBF World Cup with a 227-161 victory in the deciding game.
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