| James Kon |
HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, yesterday reminded athletes heading to the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2017 to be fully focussed.
He also said they need to be in high fighting spirit and have to always display their best performance while in the competition as this is a duty that must be fulfilled with the aim to win medals.
His Royal Highness was speaking to the athletes in a sabda delivered at the national flag handing-over ceremony for the SEA Games-bound Brunei contingent held at the Indoor Stadium.
As the best athletes of the country in their respective sporting events, His Royal Highness said, “The athletes will definitely receive unified support from the sport fans in the country. I hope that with the huge support, it can inject the spirit of unity when facing opponents during the competitions.”
In addition, His Royal Highness also iterated the needs to comply with the rules and regulations of the events, and reminded all athletes to avoid any banned substances as well as to comply with the acts and regulations of Anti-Doping enforced by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
To the officers and coaches, the President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council said, “I hope that you will be able to implement each task with trust and honesty as well as be disciplined and become a role model to all athletes.”
His Royal Highness also hoped that officials will take care of the wellbeing of the athletes and make sure that they are in their maximum level of physical and mental aspects to face their opponents.
Meanwhile, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his welcoming remark said, “This tradition and ceremony are significant as a continuous reminder that you (athletes) are competing in the name of the country.
“This ceremony also acts to fire up the spirit of the athletes and to provide support for those who will be competing for the first time in the SEA Games.”
The minister added, “In fact the handing over of the national flag is for athletes to carry the nation’s challenge for them to succeed in their mission.
“It is also to bring the greetings from all the people and residents of Brunei Darussalam to the host country.”
He said, “The participation of Brunei Darussalam in the tournament shows the country’s support for solidarity or a united community through high performance sports. In the competition, you will not be alone. Believe and trust that the whole nation is behind you to give their fullest support.”
The minister’s message to the athletes is to compete with great focus, to be prepared with the right psychology and to apply the instructions from coaches as well as to practise the sports guidelines.
He also hoped that all preparations to compete in an overseas tournament will provide confidence to the athletes.
In 2016, His Royal Highness revealed that Brunei Darussalam collected nine gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals from overseas tournaments, which was a relatively good achievement.
This had led 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 to multiply its efforts to form a sports culture through a comprehensive community involvement and excellence at international stage.
The highlight of the ceremony saw His Royal Highness handing over the national flag to Pengiran Anak Mohd Sofian bin Pengiran Anak Haji Ibrahim, the Chef De Mission of Brunei’s contingent to the SEA Games.
Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul ‘Aleem with officials from the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
In this year’s SEA Games, the Brunei contingent comprising 105 athletes and 67 officials will take part in 14 sports namely Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Pencak Silat, Sepak Takraw and Wushu.
Since its participation in the SEA Games in 1977, Brunei Darussalam has collected 12 gold, 46 silver and 167 bronze medals.
Brunei’s best performance was in 1999 when the country hosted the SEA Games and bagged four gold, 12 silver and 32 bronze medals.
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