| Azlan Othman |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, said in a sabda yesterday that athletes participating in international meets should make use of the opportunity to gain more experience and give their very best in sporting competitions.
His Royal Highness sabda was delivered yesterday by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, during the flag handover ceremony to the Brunei Darussalam contingent bound for the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 12-22.
At the same time, His Royal Highness expressed his thanks to the national sports associations, coaches and parents of the athletes for their continuous support and encouragement.
His Royal Highness also advised the participating athletes and officials that commitment to their country should come together with responsibility and high discipline.
“With prayers to Allah the Almighty and hard work, we will succeed. This is a commitment that should be borne by the athletes to strive for excellence and bring good fame to their country,” said His Royal Highness.
The ceremony was held yesterday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
Two Brunei athletes will compete in karatedo and athletics, and they will be accompanied by two officials.
Meanwhile, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi said that Brunei’s participation in the competition “demonstrates the country’s support towards solidarity or unity of the Ummah, through sports”.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, presenting the national flag to the Chef de Mission (CDM) Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in a group photo with the athletes and senior government officers. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
“The athletes should not think that they are competing alone there. The people of Brunei are right behind them, with their full support,” he said.
“Last year saw the country bringing back nine gold medals, 12 silvers and 13 bronzes from an international sports meet.
“This is a very good accomplishment, which encourages the Government of 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 through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to multiply its efforts in conducting a development policy for a sporting culture, via general participation from the local community and excellence on an international level.
“Towards this end, the government, through its ‘whole-of-nation’ approach, welcomes the support of the private sector and sponsors in endorsing any sporting activities.”
Representing Brunei Darussalam in the karatedo event is Muhd Fida’iy bin Haji Sanif, who was also the silver medal winner at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Muhd Fida’iy said that he is hoping to make history by winning a medal in Baku.
His coach, Haji Okhida Simangasing bin Benny Simanasing, said, “Muhd Fida’iy is physically and mentally prepared for the competition. He won a silver at the Asia Karatedo Federation in China back in 2009, and we hope to do our best for the country.”
The other representative in Baku is Mohd Noor Firdaus Ar-Rasyid bin Haji Md Idris, who will compete in the 200-metre athletic event.
The Brunei Chef de Mission to the sports meet is Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Zulkifli bin Pengiran Haji Ismail.
During the 2013 Solidarity Games held in Palembang, Indonesia, Brunei won one silver medal in the Wushu Men’s Duillian, through Md Sufi Shayiran bin Roslan and Mohammad Adi Sya’rani bin Roslan.
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