| Azlan Othman |
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) will hold a cycling event ‘Riadah Berbasikal Semangat Kebangsaan 2018’ in the capital this Sunday to mark Brunei Darussalam’s 34th National Day celebrations.
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 is scheduled to take part in the event, which will start and end at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Permanent Secretary at the MCYS, Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil revealed this to the media yesterday.
The bike ride aims to shape a culture of partaking in sports to move holistically towards a healthy society and strengthening national unity through involving the community in sporting activities.
Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila said the MCYS is holding the activity together with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Health, and other ministries as well as the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation.
The ministry places high importance on sports and is recognising it at the same level of respect it warrants as with other parts of society to achieve the country’s aspiration of nation building, unity and continuous stability. The ministry very much favours cycling at the moment especially considering it is now widely seen as a national hobby in Brunei.
The permanent secretary added that the leisure activity will take place side by side with Bandarku Ceria, which normally begins with a religious programme ‘Masjidku Makmur, Negara Berkat’ at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
The bike ride will begin at 7am and cover a distance of 12km around the capital, passing through Jalan Pretty, Jalan Elizabeth II, Jalan Masjid Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Gadong, Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, before ending at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Several side events will be held following the cycle, including field performances by National Service Programme (PKBN) participants, a Silat clinic by the Brunei Darussalam Pencak Silat Federation, as well as a mass Tai Chi demonstration by elderly citizens.
Football enthusiasts, meanwhile, will be in for a treat as the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) will host a football clinic for children, while elite football club DPMM FC will unveil their new players for the 2018 S League season and give fans the chance to meet the players.
Also present at the media briefing yesterday were Haji Zafri bin Haji Mohamed, Acting Director of Youth and Sports; Haji Rozaimi bin Haji Rosli, a representative from the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation; Insp Mohammad Ali Dzulfikri bin Haji Mohammad Taib, a representative from the Royal Brunei Police Force; and Awangku Laila Halip bin Pengiran Mohd Shamri, a paramedic representative from RIPAS Hospital.
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