| Fadhil Yunus |
SNAPSHOTS of sporting fever and the joyful spirits among the participating contingents in the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games captured on the giant screen were met with cheers and applause during the closing ceremony at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex yesterday.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the march-past by the contingents led by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces marching band and the logo flag carriers comprising alumni from the National Service Programme.
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 welcoming remarks said, “Since the commencement of the Games, athletes across boundaries have come together to observe the unbelievable snapshots of the games. Each and every one of our athletes has contested fairly and put forth a valiant effort, showing solid commitment, amazing diligence and genuine sportsmanship.
“I am happy to see that your participation has shown us the power of unification through sports by overriding national, political, religious and language barriers. The outstanding participation from all of you has contributed to the spirit of solidarity.
“In fact, this Friendship Games has become an important event on our regional sports calendar as a platform for networking, strengthening friendship and cultural diversity across the region,” she said.
The ceremony continued with the declaration of the closing of the 10th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games by the guest of honour and the lowering of the flag.
The handing-over of the BIMPNT-EAGA flag followed with the guest of honour presenting it to the Chairman of the BIMPNT-EAGA Sports Council Datok Jufri Rahman, who then presented it to Charles Raymond A Maxey, the head of the Philippines contingent.
The Philippines will host the 11th BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games in 2020.
Among the highlights of the closing ceremony were a video presentation of the future host of Davao City as well as a lively performance centred towards the next host country from Seri Mulia Sarjana School and Seri Mulia Sarjana International School students.
This edition of the BIMPNT-EAGA Friendship Games featured eight sports events – aquatics, lawn bowl, karatedo, athletics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, taekwondo and wushu.