| Fadhil Yunus |
A SHOW of unity and friendship was on display at the opening ceremony of the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games 2018 at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex yesterday.
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 was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the march-past of all contingents who are taking part in the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games led by the marching band of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
This was followed with the national flag carriers of BIMPT-NT EAGA and the logo flag comprising the alumni from the National Service Programme.
The first march-past was from the Indonesian contingent which included South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi followed by the contingent from Malaysia comprising Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan; contingent from the Philippines which included Mindanao and Palawan; contingent from Northern Territory, Australia; contingent from Brunei Darussalam comprising Brunei Darussalam ‘A’ and Brunei Darussalam ‘B’ and followed by the technical officers.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games Executive Committee 2018 in her welcoming remarks said: “It is a privilege for us to host these games. I believe hosting these games teaches us the true meaning of cooperation, commitment and relentless effort towards making this occasion a reality.
“We are all here to serve a common goal towards continuing the legacy of sports collaboration and to the advancement of sports as well as the strengthening of our friendship in this BIMPNT-EAGA region.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the BIMPNT-EAGA Sports Council Datok H Jufri Rahman stressed the importance of holding the BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games.
“The purpose of holding the BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games is none other than to increase harmony and friendship between the nations.
“Therefore it should be reminded that we are all here for the good purposes of this event that is not only to increase the sport competitiveness and achievement between countries, but also to strengthen the cooperation among sport institutions,” he added.
He also conveyed his appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for being an amazing host.
The highlight of the ceremony was when the minister declared the opening of the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games.
The ceremony continued with the minister being introduced to the heads of contingent and exchanging of souvenirs
The hoisting of the BIMPNT-EAGA flag followed after it was brought by six athletes who excelled in past BIMPNT-EAGA competitions.
The athletes were Muhammad Noor Firdaus Ar-Rashid bin Haji Mohd Idris, an athlete who won gold in the 100m and 200m events at the 9th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia in 2016; Muhammad Alifuddin bin Jamaludin, a sepak takraw athlete who won gold in the men’s regu event in the 9th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games; taekwondo athlete Hyde Nachman Hijium, the holder of the bronze medal in the poomsae mixed pairs in the 19th Malaysia Games in Perak in 2018; Maziah binti Mahusin, an athlete who won 400m gold in the 8th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games at the Federal Territory of Labuan in 2014; Nur Azimatunnaemah binti Simat, a pencak silat athlete who won gold in the women’s regu event at the 9th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games and Rodhyatul Adhwanna binti Bakar, a taekwondo athlete who won bronze in the women’s individual kata event at the 19th Malaysia Games.
The ceremony proceeded with the reading of the sports oath led by Awangku Rafidi Adi Hamizal bin Pengiran Nasir. He represents taekwondo and won gold in the poomsae event in the 8th Princess Cup Championship in Thailand and gold in the poomsae individual event in the 5th Annual Poomsae Championship in Brunei Darussalam.
Meanwhile, the reading of the technical officers’ oath was led by Harjimey bin Haji Zainal, a representative from the Brunei Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) and also a FINA swimming official.
The ceremony was further enlivened with a welcoming athletes’ performance and a martial arts demonstration by a group of Brunei Darussalam youth.
This edition of the BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games features eight sports events – aquatics, lawn bowl, karatedo, athletics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, taekwondo and wushu.
Altogether, there are 795 participants comprising athletes, officials and coaches from 10 contingents.
The multi-sporting showpiece has 272 medals up for grabs including 87 gold, 87 silver and 98 bronze.
The first edition of the championship was held in the Philippines in 1996 followed by Sarawak a year later. The championship returned in 2003 with the Philippines playing hosts.
The fourth edition of the championship was held in Sabah in 2004 followed by Indonesia in 2006. Brunei Darussalam played host in 2008, the Philippines in 2012, the Federal Territory of Labuan in 2014 and Kalimantan in 2016.