| Izah Azahari |
AN OTHERWISE quiet Sunday morning in the capital was turned abuzz with the vibrant energy of hundreds of avid cyclists who joined 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 in the Royal Birthday Cycling Recreation 2018 event yesterday which was sounded off at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The bike ride, held in conjunction with the monarch’s 72nd birthday celebration aimed at shaping a sports culture among the country’s residents and strengthening national unity.
The event was also participated by other members of the royal family, including 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 Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Mu’min.
Upon arrival at the Taman, His Majesty was greeted by a number of Cabinet Ministers, including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
The start of the event was signalled by the singing of the Selamat Puja Usia song by a group of alumni of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) and special needs students from Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam (SOBD), and the waving of hand flappers by 72 youth from the Youth Community Transformation Club (KKBT).
This was followed by the sound off to start the cycle, accompanied by the playing of band music by the Serunai and Tambur Force band of the Prisons Department.
With a firm smile on his face and occasionally sending reciprocal waves back to the gathered crowds, His Majesty proudly led the way through the 11.49km bike route, which made passes through the main thoroughfares of Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan Haji Basir, and Jalan Sultan before returning to Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
Following the cycle, His Majesty and members of the royal family witnessed the march past of 72 cyclists from all four districts who completed a 72km cycle which began earlier in the morning at 6.15am.
The monarch also consented to receive a pesambah marking the event from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
