| Hakim Hayat & Fadhil Yunus |
THE regatta held yesterday in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee Celebration 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’s Accession to the Throne drew thousands of boating enthusiasts and visitors to the Dermaga Diraja in the capital, while the participation of His Majesty in a special-category boat race added glory to the colourful annual boat racing event.
Also in attendance 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 Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed 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.
On hand to welcome His Majesty on arrival yesterday afternoon at the Dermaga Diraja were Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong; Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong; and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof in their capacities as chairpersons of the Jawatankuasa Sektoral Keraian Daerah-Daerah dan Mukim for the Golden Jubilee Celebration.
Starting the afternoon’s event was the 15-Rower Fiberglass Boat Special Category Race that was competed by eight teams, including one which His Majesty led to victory. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah’s team finished as runners-up, while the mukim penghulus and village heads team ended in third place. His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah’s team finished the race in fourth place.
The whole-day sporting occasion, held at the Brunei River, featured 11 events opened to contestants. Among these were categories such as traditional boat race, fibreglass boat race, and a grand finale traditional boat marathon involving 30 rowers.
Earlier in the morning, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah flagged off the regatta’s first category event – the 25-Rower Inter-Ministry Traditional, which was won by the Ministry of Defence, before later presenting prizes to the winners of the different categories.
The morning event also saw teams vie for the winning title of the 30-Rower Traditional Open and 20-Rower Youth Open Fibreglass categories.
Participation in the regatta was not only open to the masses, but also cabinet ministers, state dignitaries, members of the diplomatic community, heads of government departments, as well as members from the private sector.
His Majesty’s participation in the regatta demonstrated his enthusiasm for the sporting event, which was hugely popular back in the golden era of the Brunei River in the 1950s, when it was actively participated by His Majesty’s late father Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam.
From the royal dais set up at the Dermaga Diraja, His Majesty witnessed other events including the 20-Rower Under-30 Youth Fibreglass and the 15-Rower Higher Education Institutions Fibreglass. Cheers from hundreds of spectators watching the events resounded throughout the day from the Dermaga Diraja and along the banks of the Brunei River.
As a grand finale and highlight to the event, His Majesty boarded a boat from the Dermaga Diraja jetty and proceeded to the mouth of Sungai Lumapas to flag off the 5km 30-Rower Traditional Marathon Boat Race.
Sixteen teams from Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia took part in this much-anticipated event, in which team solidarity and a strong competitive spirit could clearly be seen. Laksamana Sinapuan from Sarawak, Malaysia won the category, with Mukim Saba finishing as runner-up. The Lela-Cheteria team took the second runner-up spot.
His Majesty later toured the exhibition set up by the Museums Department, Information Department and the Brunei Darussalam Jet-Ski Association at the Dermaga Diraja, which featured vintage and contemporary photos of boat races along the Brunei River, and a jet ski exhibition.
Towards the end of the event, His Majesty presented prizes to the winners of the main boat race categories at the royal dais. The subsequent release of coloured smoke in the Brunei River and the sailpast of boats from government agencies marked the conclusion of the event.
Since its revival, the regatta has met its objective of rekindling the golden era of boat racing along the Brunei River, breathing new life and drawing crowds back to the capital.
This year’s regatta is particularly special as it coincides with His Majesty’s Golden Jubilee Celebration, further enriching the already colourful occasion.
Apart from strengthening societal cohesion through sportsmanship within and outside the country, the regatta is also hoped to boost tourism to the country, as such rare events are huge draws to tourists from both within and beyond the region.
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