| Hakim Hayat |
THE capital was transformed into a sea of colours yesterday morning as people from all walks of life, especially hundreds of cycling enthusiasts took to the streets of Bandar Seri Begawan for the Royal Birthday Cycling Recreation 2017 held in conjunction with 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’s 71st birthday celebrations.
The cycling event was made more special with the participation of His Majesty, who led the pack of cyclists in a 11.5km route that commenced in the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, passing through scenic sections along the main roads of Bandar Seri Begawan before returning to the Taman.
Also taking part in the event were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and other members of the royal family.
Other notable individuals joining in the event were senior government officials, including cabinet ministers.
Eager participants were seen arriving at the Taman as early as 5.30am, despite the cycle’s flag-off set at around 7.45am.
His Majesty got the event officially underway with a push of the buzzer, at which point 71 balloons were released by 71 youths simultaneously with the singing of a birthday song.
The 11.5km route, led by His Majesty and members of the royal family, was participated by hundreds of cycling enthusiasts riding bicycles of varying make, colours and styles.
The 11.5km route covered several main roads in the capital, taking His Majesty and the other cyclists past landmarks through Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan Haji Basir and Jalan Sultan.
His Majesty was the centre of the attention throughout the event, with members of the public cheering the monarch along the various route sections of the cycling event.
After circling Bandar Seri Begawan and making it back to the Taman, His Majesty also witnessed the return of 71 cyclists in another category – a longer 71km route – which had been flagged off earlier in the morning by Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The 71 cyclists comprised national cycling athletes, and representatives from the government and private sectors, as well as from local associations across all four districts.
Before departing the venue, His Majesty received a pesambah and toured the various activities organised in the weekly Bandarku Ceria, held every Sunday.
During this tour, His Majesty and members of the royal family also took a closer look at the different food and beverage vendors lining the streets of the capital.
The event was made livelier with the presence of the Brunei 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games contingents.
Initiated collaboratively by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Health, and the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation, the event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle through recreational activities and acknowledge the importance of sports activities in meeting the nation building goals, as well as to foster solidarity and stability within the community.
The MCYS in a press release stated that the event’s success is testament to the effectiveness of a whole-country approach which involves people from all walks of life, including those from the government and non-government sectors, adding that this is proof that the approach can be used to promote other national development programmes.
Those who participated in yesterday’s cycle can download their certificates of participation from the MCYS website www.kkbs.gov.bn.
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