| Achong Tanjong |
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof yesterday presented the national flag to the Brunei contingent for the 9th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) Friendship Games to be held in Samarinda, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The national flag presentation and Doa Selamat ceremony took place at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas. The five-day event will be held from December 6 to 12, 2016.
The Brunei Darussalam contingent comprises 21 people including the Chef de Mission, 12 athletes, five coaches, a secretary, a relationship officer and a physiotherapist. The national contingent will take part in four sports events, namely athletics, karatedo, pencak silat and sepak takraw.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his speech said the country’s participation in the championship shows the commitment, support and understanding among BIMP-EAGA countries and the games will enhance the spirit of friendship towards the development of sports and harmony among neighbouring countries, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
He said the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games could not only cultivate team sporting spirit but also enhance cooperation among the countries participating in the event which is held once in two years.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, presenting the national flag to the head of contingent, Haji Mohamad Rosfazilah bin Haji Yusly, Chef de Mission. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in a group photo with the contingent and other senior officials.
Congratulating the athletes selected to represent the country in the prestigious games, the minister highlighted that at the 8th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games 2014 held in Malaysia, Brunei won 15 medals – three gold, eight silver and four bronze.
He hoped that the success and medal collection will continue to improve this year, reminding all athletes to be alert and take precautions to prevent the use of illicit drugs. Athletes, he said, also need to be disciplined and stay healthy before and during the games. “They must always focus on winning the games for upholding national pride,” the minister said.
Chef de Mission, Haji Mohamad Roasfazilah bin Haji Yusly, received the national flag from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The national contingent will be flown in to Samarinda, West Kalimantan in a Royal Brunei Air Force plane.
Present at the event yesterday were Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin and Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MCYS Amiruddin bin Haji Matassan as well as senior government officers.
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