| Fadhil Yunus |
HER Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah, team official of the Brunei Darussalam netball team, expressed her pride on the progress of the team ahead of their much-anticipated campaign in the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which begins today.
The national netball team has heightened their preparations over the last few months having embarked exhibition series in trips to Singapore and Sri Lanka following a lengthy period of training in a SEA Games year.
“I am very proud with the team’s progress. I think the months of training and practice have paid off as they look more confident and comfortable playing with each other. The synergy they have developed on court will push them onto another level,” Her Royal Highness said.
With the first two games a tall order for the Royal Bees separated by a day with defending SEA Games champions Singapore first up at the Juara Stadium today and gold medal favourites Malaysia on August 15, Her Royal Highness said that they will give a good fight.
“It’s going to be a tough couple of days but I believe we can give a very good fight. It has been a long journey for everyone but I believe we have what it takes to reach the podium.”
With the top two almost a nailed on certainty, the national netball team will be hoping to emulate the feat they achieved in Singapore a couple of years ago when they won bronze.
Her Royal Highness also conveyed a message to the national team before starting their campaign against the host nation who has been tipped to avenge their final defeat in 2015.
“I wish the team the best of luck in the upcoming days ahead. No matter the outcome I am so proud to have seen them grow as a team and the journey has been incredible,” Her Royal Highness concluded.
Meanwhile, national netball head coach Thilaka Jinadasa echoed Her Royal Highness’s sentiments over how far the girls have evolved since beginning their training stint for the region’s most prestigious competition.
“It’s a proud moment of representing the country and netball. We all have put everything behind the last 10 months to come this far and make it to the SEA Games,” the head coach said.
“I am really proud of the girls to experience how much they committed and sacrificed to represent Brunei. I hope that the girls will keep their mind-set well and focus what we plan all these years to achieve our goal,” she further added.
The head coach called the national team to adopt a strong mind set and demonstrate a fighting spirit towards the final whistle.
The national team did rapidly well during the recent exposure series in Sri Lanka where they managed to defeat two leading teams in the country.
However, Thilaka indicated the need to be cautious at the international level against much varied opposition.
“It’s important to play very tactfully during this level of competition since all teams are well prepared.”
The head coach has shuffled her line-ups against different opponents during the Sri Lanka series.
“It’s important to match the team with knowing opponents better and fix the team accordingly. It was a good opener for us to try out different line ups and be better prepared.”
The Sri Lanka trip will no doubt provide a morale boost especially competing and winning against teams which fielded current national players.
Thilaka also pointed out a crucial moment in the match which could serve them with great confidence heading into the SEA Games shall they encounter a similar situation.
“At one point during both games, we were having equal goals but Brunei players showed their determination and fought back to get the lead which is very important at this stage of our training to get us a morale boost.”
The head coach felt that the national team is able to play more tactfully and show maturity when and how to control crucial situations and overcome it successfully compared to the previous SEA Games.
Thilaka concluded by calling her charges to fight for the country and give their all on what they have worked for the last year.
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