Azlina Arshad was a pillar of Malaysian women’s bowls for two decades as they became a powerhouse of women’s bowls globally after their successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 1998.  

Azlina, or Ena as she is affectionately known, combined technical excellence with leadership on and off the green. A Commonwealth triples gold medallist and frequent medallist at Asia‑Pacific Championships, Asian Games, SEA Games, and World Bowls, Azlina has helped raise Malaysia’s international profile in women’s bowls and has one of the most prolific records of success.  

Ena’s small physique belied a determination on the green that was second to none. She started playing bowls in Penang at the age of 14. In 2003, she began her international success at the Asia-Pacific championships held in Brisbane. Ena was part of a formidable Malaysian women’s triples gold winning combinations alongside Haslah Hassan and Nor Hashimah Ismail beating Canada’s Andrea Stadnyk, Anita Nivala and Helen Culley in the final.  

Nazura Ngahat had won the pairs at the same Games with Hall of Famer Siti Zalina Ahmad. She joined Arshad, Hassan and Ismail in the Malaysian fours team for a silver medal against Hall of Famers from New Zealand Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith and their lead Wendy Jensen. 

So began a tremendous record in triples and four competitions globally at all levels for Azlina, alongside Ismail, Nur Fidrah Noh, Nor Shafeeqah Yahya, and later rising stars Emma Firyana Saroji and Alyani Jamil – the latter two currently in the Top 10 of the World Bowls Series female ranking list. 

Perhaps the crowning glory was Ena’s success at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, where Malaysia won the triples gold medal with Arshad at lead and Ismail at second and Nor Aryani Azma at skip beating home country favourites Ceri Ann Davies, Noi Tucker and Roma Dunn in straight sets 12-12 13-4. Further Commonwealth Games medals followed as Ena moved to skip and her teams secured silver in the 2014 Games in the fours, and in the triples in 2022. 

Azlina, nicknamed Datin by her friends for her stylish dress, retired from international play in 2023.  She is a policewoman in Penang and these days enjoys hiking and outdoor activities, along with games of pickle ball. 

Commonwealth Games 

2006 (Triples Gold), 2014 (Fours Silver), 2022 (Triples Silver) 

World Bowls 

2008 (Fours Bronze), 2012 (Fours Silver) 2016 (Triples Bronze)  

Asia/Pacific 

2003 (Triples Gold), 2007 (Triples Gold), 2009 (Triples Gold), 2009 (Fours Gold)