| Wani Roslan |
OVER a thousand cyclists 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 for the National Youth Day Cycling Recreation 2018, around the capital yesterday.
Among the members of the royal family participating in the cycling 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 Wakeel; 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 Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, His Majesty was greeted by 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 and a number of Cabinet Ministers.
Leading the way, His Majesty covered an 11.49km route along the main streets of Jalan Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Perdana Menteri, Jalan Haji Basir and Jalan Sultan, accompanied by cyclists of varying ages and backgrounds.
Also joining in the cycling event were Cabinet Ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries.
Upon completion, His Majesty and members of the royal family witnessed a parade of 50 cyclists from higher education institutions, the Youth Development Centre and the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) at the Taman.
The monarch also consented to receive a pesambah commemorating the event, from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Later, His Majesty and members of the royal family toured a Youth Festival on the grounds of the Taman, with the theme Belia Sayang Raja.
Organised by several government and private agencies, the Youth Festival featured 35 activities in three separate zones, namely a creative zone, a child-friendly zone and a sports zone.
Among the featured activities were an Al-Fatihah clinic; a gulintangan presentation; a singing performance by Universiti Brunei Darussalam choir group; traditional dance performance; children’s games; face-painting; parkour displays; a Brunei Motocross showcase; calisthenics; and an exhibition by SSEAYP alumni, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private individuals.
The National Youth Day Cycling Recreation 2018 was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and the Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation.
As part of the celebrations for this year’s National Youth Day, the family-oriented event was especially aimed at promoting sporting activity and a healthy lifestyle among youth.
