| Izah Azahari |
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports yesterday invited members of the media to a press conference yesterday at the Citra Budaya Hall of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Building for the upcoming National Day Cycling Spirit 2017 (Kayuhan Semangat Hari Kebangsaan 2017) in conjunction to the 33rd National Day celebration of Brunei Darussalam, which will be held on February 26, 2017 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Present at the event was Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Day Cycling Spirit 2017.
Also present at the press conference were Haji Zafri bin Haji Mohamed, Acting Director of Youth and Sports; Haji Zul Azmi bin Haji Abdul Manan, a Medic representative; DSP Mohd Fathdillah bin Haji Hamid, a representative from the Department of Traffic Control and Investigation (JSKLL) of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF); and Omarali bin Haji Ibrahim, a representative of the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation.
During the press conference, Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy explained that the event is co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health as well as the involvement of various other ministries and the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation.
The event, said the permanent secretary, is held as an added value to the weekly Bandarku Ceria and is aimed at fostering a culture of sports and strengthening the solidarity through society’s involvement as a whole that will lead to a healthier nation.
Present at the event was Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Day Cycling Spirit 2017. – IZAH AZAHARI
Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy also informed that His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has also consented to participate in the National Day Cycling Spirit 2017 which will begin and end at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, and will be held at 7am around the Bandar Seri Begawan area running 16 kilometres and will pass a number of main roads comprising Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Haji Basir, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Perdana Menteri, the roundabout at Jalan Utama Berakas/Muara, Jalan Tasek, and Jalan Kianggeh.
With free participation, the ministry is inviting the public to join in to enliven the cycling event, but are also advised to come early for a smoother cycling event.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports will continually carry out efforts in sports projects for the society, where the ministry will look into the response of the public to further foster a healthy lifestyle through cycling culture activity along with bringing the cycling culture to life in the country in efforts to further enliven the capital on the weekends as well.
Additionally, the chairman also mentioned that the committee members will begin arriving at 6am and participants are asked to arrive around 6.15am as His Majesty is scheduled to arrive by 7.30am.
For participants partaking in the 33km, the flag off time will be at 7.10am.
To further brighten the event, a performance from the Brunei Classics and Fixie bikes.
Meanwhile, DSP Mohd Fathdillah informed of the road closures around the Bandar Seri Begawan area during the event which will behin at 6am starting from the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, the Jalan Haji Basir Traffic Light area and along the Taman Jubli Traffic Light road; the Jalan Kumbang Pasang Traffic Light area near Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri until the road entrance of St Georges School; the Jalan Ong Sum Ping Traffic Light junction; the Jalan Menteri Besar towards the roundabout; Jalan Airport Lama towards the Jalan Menteri Besar; Jalan Pertahanan Traffic Light area; Jalan Residency/Jalan Mc Arthur Traffic Light area; and the Jalan Stadium and Jalan Persidangan junction.
DSP Mohd Fathdillah also mentioned the car park areas that should be emptied which comprise of Jalan Tasek, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Mc Arthur, along Jalan Sultan Omar Ali Saiffuddien, along Jalan Stoney, along Jalan Haji Basir, along Jalan Kumbang Pasang, along Jalan Stadium, along Jalan Pasir Berakas, and along Jalan Delima, as the roads will be used during the event where the police will move any cars that are found to still be parked in those areas the night before the event.
Participants and the public are advised to park at the Taman Jubilee, Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah, Jalan Residency, Jalan Menteri Besar and the Kianggeh roads.
Alternative roads that can be used during the event to go through Bandar Seri Begawan are the Hassanal Bolkiah Highway, Jalan Tutong towards Jalan Lama Muara, Jalan Kumbang Pasang towards Jalan Menteri Besar / Jalan Sungai Akar, and Jalan Gadong.
For the participation of the event, it is stated that the participants are required to wear helmets and proper attire.
Meanwhile, Awang Omarali mentioned that children are allowed to participate in the event, but parents and guardians are advised to keep a close eye on them.
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